US20200170890A1 - Passage device and medication dose management device - Google Patents

Abstract

A contents passing device according to the present invention includes a passing operation part configured to guide movement of contents, a passing movement part rotatably disposed in the passing operation part and configured to move so that the contents are passed, and a sensing part disposed in the passing operation part and configured to sense contents discharged due to free rotation of one end of the passing movement part, wherein the sensing part detects information on the sensed contents.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention relates to a contents passing device, and more particularly, to a passing device and a medication management device capable of sensing discharge of contents discharged from a containing apparatus and allowing a user to take a fixed amount of contents.
BACKGROUND ART
• Generally, medicines such as digestive agents, health supplements such as vitamins, and foods such as sweets are produced in the form of solid, powder, or liquid contents, and tools, apparatuses, and the like are manufactured in the form of solid contents (hereinafter referred to as “contents”).
• Medicine and food contents are taken in a fixed amount or a necessary amount to prevent overuse or addiction as well as to maximize their efficacy.
• Such contents are sold in a state of being contained in a predetermined storage container. The conventional contents storage container has a structure including a container main body in which a plurality of contents are contained and a cap that is coupled to an inlet of the container main body so as to be openable and closable.
• Therefore, to take or ingest the contents, the cap is opened from the container main body, and then the contents contained in the container main body are withdrawn on a palm or a lid so as to be taken.
• The above-described technical configuration is a background art for assisting the understanding of the present invention and does not indicate a widely known related art in the technical field to which the present invention belongs.
• A fixed amount discharging container has been proposed in Korean Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-2012-0096798 (Title of Invention: A cap for discharging constant rate of pills).
DISCLOSURETechnical Problem
• The fixed amount discharging container is inconvenient to take out contents one by one or by a necessary demand amount because the contents are poured out when the user takes out the contents by tilting a containing apparatus such as a container apparatus every time to acquire the contents.
• Accordingly, a device that allows a fixed amount to be discharged from a containing apparatus has been disclosed conventionally, but an amount of contents discharged from the containing apparatus cannot be accurately sensed, and as a result, it is difficult to guide accurate medication taking.
• Therefore, there is a need for improvement.
• The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problems and is directed to providing a contents passing device and a medication management device capable of accurately sensing contents discharged from a containing apparatus and allowing a user to take a fixed amount of contents on the basis of the accurately sensed contents.
Technical Solution
• A passing device according to the present invention includes a passing operation part configured to guide movement of contents, a passing movement part rotatably disposed in the passing operation part and configured to move so that the content is passed, and a sensing part disposed in the passing operation part and configured to sense contents discharged due to free rotation of one end of the passing movement part, wherein the sensing part detects information on the sensed contents.
Advantageous Effects
• A passing device according to one aspect of the present invention accurately senses discharge of contents and allows a user to take a fixed amount of contents on the basis of the accurately sensed discharge of the contents.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contents moving apparatus including a passing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a main part view illustrating a tilted state of the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a contents passing means maintains an initial state when a housing of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is tilted.
• FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention starts moving due to a pushing force of contents.
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention moves due the pushing force of the contents.
• FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention moves due the pushing force of the contents.
• FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which the contents are discharged from the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a use state of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 12 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is returned to its initial state after use.
• FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an installation structure of a sensor part according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense movement of contents according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense movement of contents according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense movement of contents according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense movement of contents according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 25 is a view illustrating changes in a quantity of light when a relatively small, flat pill passes a sensor portion and is discharged to the outside due to tilting of a container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 26 is a view illustrating changes in a quantity of light when a relatively large, long pill passes the sensor portion and is discharged to the outside due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 27 is a view illustrating changes in a quantity of light in a case in which a relatively small, flat pill is stuck at a container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.
• FIG. 28 is a view illustrating changes in a quantity of light in a case in which a relatively large, long pill is stuck at the container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.
• FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a medication management device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a medication guidance terminal of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 32 is a block diagram of the medication guidance terminal according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a housing having the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 35 illustrates a communication system of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 36 is an operational view of communication of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a medication management device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a substrate according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIGS. 41 to 43 are views illustrating a contents discharging process of the dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 44 is a block diagram of a management terminal according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 45 is an overall exploded perspective view of a dispenser connected to a management terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a plug cap of the dispenser connected to the management terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 47 is an exploded perspective view of the plug cap of the dispenser connected to the management terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.
MODES OF THE INVENTION
• According to an embodiment of the present invention, a passing device includes a passing operation part configured to guide movement of contents, a passing movement part rotatably disposed in the passing operation part and configured to move so that the contents are passed, and a sensing part disposed in the passing operation part and configured to sense contents discharged due to free rotation of one end of the passing movement part, wherein the sensing part detects information on the sensed contents.
• An additional embodiment according to the present invention can be briefly described as follows. The passing movement part may further include a blocking member configured to obstruct passage of contents beyond a predetermined amount. The sensing part may include at least one light emitting part configured to emit light toward contents discharged due to rotation of the passing movement part, at least one light receiving part configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitting part, and a sensing control part configured to sense the contents discharged through the passing operation part by using the light emitted from the light emitting part and then received by the light receiving part.
• The present invention may further include a storage part configured to store information on contents detected by the sensing part and further include a measuring part configured to calculate a cumulative discharge amount of contents by period on the basis of the information stored in the storage part. The present invention may further include a display part configured to output the information on the contents detected by the sensing part, the information stored in the storage part, or information calculated by the measuring part.
• The present invention may further include a communication part configured to transmit the information on the contents detected by the sensing part, the information stored in the storage part, or the information calculated by the measuring part to an external device through wired or wireless communication.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine, on the basis of the information stored in the storage part, whether the cumulative discharge amount of the contents by period exceeds or is less than a predetermined amount by period.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part when reception of light reflected by the content is stopped.
• The sensing part of the present invention may further include a tilt sensor configured to sense a slope of the passing device. The sensing control part may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing movement part according to whether a slope of a container sensed by the tilt sensor is within a predetermined slope.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged when radio waves reflected by the content are not received by a receiving part in a state in which a slope of a housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within the predetermined slope and determine that the content has not been discharged when the radio waves reflected by the content are not received by the receiving part in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is beyond the predetermined slope.
• The light emitting part and the light receiving part of the present invention may be respectively installed at both sides of the passing movement part.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part according to a change in a quantity of light that is emitted by the light emitting part, reflected by the content, and then received by the light receiving part.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been passed by the passing operation part when an amount of change in the quantity of light received by the light receiving part is a predetermined amount of change or larger.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part when the amount of change in the quantity of light received by the light receiving part reaches a state of being the predetermined amount of change or larger and then returns to a state before changing to the predetermined amount of change or larger.
• The present invention may further include a tilt sensor configured to sense a slope of a housing, and the sensing control part may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part according to whether the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within a predetermined slope.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged when the amount of change in the quantity of light reaches the state of being the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within the predetermined slope and determine that the content has not been discharged when the amount of change in the quantity of light reaches the state of being the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is beyond the predetermined slope.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part when the quantity of light received by the light receiving part reaches a state of being a predetermined light quantity or larger and then reaches a state of being less than the predetermined light quantity.
• The present invention may further include a tilt sensor configured to sense a slope of a housing, and the sensing control part may determine that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part according to whether the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within a predetermined slope.
• The sensing control part of the present invention may determine that the content has been discharged when the quantity of light reaches the state of being less than the predetermined light quantity in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within the predetermined slope and determine that the content has not been discharged when the quantity of light reaches the state of being less than the predetermined light quantity in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is beyond the predetermined slope.
• According to an aspect of the present invention, a medication management device includes an output part and a medication guidance terminal control part which is configured to receive medication state information from a sensing part and medication schedule information from a medication management server, generate medication guidance information on a user by using the medication schedule information and the medication state information, and then output the generated medication guidance information to the output part, wherein the output part outputs the medication guidance information by an image or sound.
• A passing movement part of a passing device according to still another embodiment of the present invention may include an opening member configured to rotate in a passing direction of contents and form a passing space of the contents. The passing movement part may rotate in the passing direction of the contents due to a self-weight of the contents and allow the passage of a predetermined amount of contents.
• The passing operation part may include a fixing member configured to form an opening to pass contents and a movement guide part configured to extend from the fixing member to guide introduction of the contents into a contents passing means.
• The passing operation part may be detachably disposed in a housing in which the contents are stored, and the movement guide part may include a contents leading part configured to extend from the movement guide part so as to come in contact with or come close to an inner side surface of the housing that is adjacent thereto and guide the content toward the opening.
• The contents leading part may be formed along an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
• The movement guide part may include a cover part formed along the inner circumferential surface of the housing and configured to extend from the fixing member to guide movement of the contents stored in the housing toward the opening.
• A passing device according to the present invention may include a housing configured to store contents and a passing operation part disposed at an inner side of the housing to guide movement of the contents.
• The passing device may include a contents leading part formed in the housing to set a moving direction and a moving state of the contents so that, when the housing is tilted, the contents stored in the housing are guided to be discharged toward the passing operation part one by one or by a fixed amount.
• The passing operation part may include a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move, and the contents passing means may include a passing movement part configured to open by movement and allow the contents to pass.
• The passing movement part may include an opening member configured to move in a passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents and a blocking member configured to interlock with the opening member and block at least a portion of an opening to prevent passage of the contents or allow only a portion of the contents to pass. By interlocking with the opening member and blocking at least a portion of the opening, the blocking member may prevent the passage of contents exceeding a fixed amount through the opening.
• The passing operation part may include a fixing member configured to form an opening to pass contents and a movement guide part configured to guide introduction of the contents into the contents passing means. The housing may have the fixing member mounted thereon, and movement of the contents toward the movement guide part may be guided through the contents leading part.
• The housing may have the fixing member mounted thereon and may include a small diameter part formed so that the movement of the contents toward the movement guide part is guided and a large diameter part having a larger inner space than the small diameter part so that a predetermined amount of contents may be stored therein at an initial stage.
• The fixing member may be detachably coupled to the movement guide part.
• The contents leading part may be formed in the housing so as to be convex inward and have a curvature along a circumferential trajectory of the housing.
• The contents leading part may be formed in the large diameter part or the small diameter part and guide movement of the contents.
• The passing operation part may form an opening configured to guide the passage of contents. The passing operation part may form a supply guiding entry part so that the opening is formed to be open toward the contents leading part. The contents stored in the housing may be moved toward the opening through the supply guiding entry part along the contents leading part.
• The passing operation part may include a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move, and the contents passing means may include a passing movement part configured to open by rotation and allow the contents to pass. The passing movement part may open or close the opening by rotating back and forth in the opening with respect to a movement member by using the principle of the lever.
• The passing movement part may include a movement control member for setting center-of-gravity balance of lever motion.
• The housing may form a passing apparatus neck part so that the contents moving along the contents leading part are guided to be introduced into the passing operation part by a predetermined amount.
• The passing movement part may include an opening member configured to move in a passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents, and the passing apparatus neck part may be formed in the housing to guide movement of the contents toward the opening member.
• In the housing or the passing operation part, the contents passing means may be rotated while weight balance is adjusted, and a passing apparatus extension part configured to secure a space so that the passage of the contents is guided may be formed.
• The passing operation part may include a fixing member configured to form an opening to pass contents and having, in the opening, a contents passing means that allows the movement of a predetermined amount of contents and an inner cap detachably coupled to the fixing member, detachably coupled to a content discharging side of the housing, and configured to allow the discharge of the contents. When the inner cap is detached from the housing, the fixing member may be detached from the housing while being coupled to the inner cap.
• The inner cap may be formed in a ring shape, and the fixing member may form an edge part so as to be detachably coupled to an inner side surface of the inner cap.
• The inner cap or the housing may have an outer cap detachably disposed therein.
• The inner cap or the housing may be hinge-connected to the outer cap.
• A passing device according to the present invention may include a passing operation part having an opening and configured to guide movement of contents. The passing operation part may include a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move. The contents passing means may include a passing movement part configured to open by movement and allow the contents to pass. The passing operation part may form a supply guiding entry part so that the contents may enter the opening from a circumferential surface of the passing operation part along an inner side surface of the housing.
• The passing movement part may be disposed in the opening so as to be capable of a seesaw motion, and when the passing operation part is tilted within a predetermined angle due to the seesaw motion, the passing operation part may maintain its initial state so that the opening is not opened.
• The predetermined angle may be set as a tilt angle that does not exceed180° from the initial upright state of a contents moving apparatus having the opening formed therein.
• The passing movement part may include an opening member configured to move in a passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents. When the contents moving apparatus having the opening formed therein is tilted within the predetermined angle, the weight of the passing movement part may be leaned toward the opposite side of the direction of tilting, and the opening member may keep the opening blocked.
• The passing movement part may perform the seesaw motion due to the weight leaning leftward or rightward with respect to a movement member, which is the center of rotation, according to the principle of the lever.
• In a standby state in which the contents moving apparatus having the opening formed therein is tilted, the weight of the passing movement part may be leaned toward the blocking member with respect to the movement member, which is the center of rotation, and the blocking member may get caught in a stopper, and thus the blocking member may keep the opening open without blocking the opening.
• Due to a force of the contents pushing the passing movement part or due to the force of the contents pushing the passing movement part and the self-weight of the passing movement part, the opening may be opened, and the passage of a predetermined amount of contents may be guided.
• When the contents moving apparatus having the opening formed therein is tilted, the weight of the contents introduced into the opening may be added to the passing movement part, and the passing movement part may be rotated about the movement member, which is the center of rotation, and open the opening.
• The passing movement part includes the blocking member configured to interlock with the opening member and block at least a portion of the opening to prevent passage of the contents or allow only a portion of the contents to pass.
• When the passing operation part rotates within the predetermined angle, the passing movement part may maintain an initial state due to the stopper when the contents do not come in contact with the passing movement part.
• In a state in which the blocking member opens the opening, when the predetermined amount of contents enters between the blocking member and the opening member, the self-weight of the contents may be added to the passing movement part, and the passing movement part may rotate.
• The passing movement part may move together with the contents due to friction with the contents that come in contact with a bottom member between the opening member and the blocking member or due to a force of the contents pushing the opening member.
• A passing device according to the present invention may include a passing operation part having an opening and configured to guide movement of contents. The passing operation part may include a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move. The contents passing means may include a passing movement part configured to open by rotation and allow the contents to pass. The passing movement part may open or close the opening by rotating back and forth in the opening with respect to a movement member by using the principle of the lever.
• The passing movement part may keep the opening closed by the self-weight when the passing operation part rotates within the predetermined angle and may sequentially open or close the opening by a pushing force of the contents or by a force of the contents pushing the passing movement part and the self-weight of the passing movement part and guide the passage of a predetermined amount of contents.
• The passing movement part may include a balance part configured to suppress the passing movement part from tilting beyond a slope of the passing operation part due to the self-weight of the passing movement part when the passing operation part is tilted.
• The passing movement part may include an opening member configured to move in a passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents.
• The passing movement part may include a blocking member configured to interlock with the opening member and block at least a portion of an opening to prevent passage of the contents or allow only a portion of the contents to pass.
• The passing operation part may have a shape such that rotation due to the self-weight of the passing movement part does not occur due to weight balancing before a predetermined amount of contents come into contact with the opening member.
• The passing movement part may further include a movement control member for setting center-of-gravity balance of lever motion.
• A valve according to the present invention, which is a passing device configured to lead passage of contents, includes a passing operation part configured to pass the contents, wherein the passing operation part includes a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move.
• A contents moving apparatus according to the present invention includes a passing device disposed in the contents moving apparatus, which holds contents, and configured to lead passage of the contents and a housing having at least one open side, wherein the passing device includes a passing operation part configured to allow the contents to pass, and the passing operation part includes a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move.
• A contents moving apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing configured to store contents and a passing operation part configured to guide movement of the contents in the housing.
• The passing operation part may include a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move.
• The contents passing means may include a passing movement part configured to open by movement and allow the contents to pass.
• The passing movement part may include an opening member configured to move in a passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents.
• The passing movement part may rotate in the passing direction of the contents due to a self-weight of the contents coming in contact therewith and allow passage of a predetermined amount of contents.
• The passing operation part may include a fixing member configured to form an opening to pass contents and detachably disposed in the housing and a movement guide part configured to guide introduction of the contents in the housing into the contents passing means.
• The movement guide part may include a contents leading part configured to extend from the movement guide part so as to come in contact with or come close to an inner side surface of the housing that is adjacent thereto and guide the content toward the opening.
• The contents leading part may be formed along an inner circumferential surface of the housing.
• The passing operation part may be detachably disposed in the housing, and the movement guide part may be formed in the housing.
• A containing apparatus according to the present invention includes a passing device disposed in the containing apparatus, which holds contents, and configured to lead the passage of the contents and a housing having at least one open side, wherein the passing device includes a passing operation part configured to pass the contents, and the passing operation part includes a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move.
• A contents apparatus according to the present invention, which includes contents, includes a passing device configured to lead the passage of the contents and a housing having at least one open side, wherein the passing device includes a passing operation part configured to pass the contents, and the passing operation part includes a contents passing means configured to allow the contents to move.
• Hereinafter, a passing device and a medication management device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this process, the thicknesses of lines, the sizes of elements, or the like illustrated in the drawings may have been exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description. Also, the terms used herein are those defined in consideration of functions in the present invention and may be changed according to an intention or practice of a worker or an operator. Therefore, such terms should be defined on the basis of the contents throughout the present specification.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contents moving apparatus including a passing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 4 is a main part view illustrating a tilted state of the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a state in which a contents passing means maintains an initial state when a housing of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is tilted, andFIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention starts moving due to a pushing force of contents.
• FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention moves due the pushing force of the contents,FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the state in which the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention moves due the pushing force of the contents,FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which the contents are discharged from the contents passing means according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a use state of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 11 is a front cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 12 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the contents moving apparatus including the passing device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is returned to its initial state after use, andFIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of an installation structure of a sensor part according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 14, acontents moving apparatus1 including a passingdevice100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes ahousing110, a passingoperation part120, and a passingapparatus entry part119.
• Thehousing110, which is a container for storingcontents5, includes the passingoperation part120 therein and forms the passingapparatus entry part119.
• Here, thecontents5 are in the form of solid, powder, or liquid that can pass through a contents passing means123.
• In this case, thehousing110 forms a before-passingpart113 which is a portion in which thecontents5 are stored before reaching the passingoperation part120. Further, thehousing110 may form astandby containing part115 in a space in which thecontents5 are located after passing the passingoperation part120.
• That is, the before-passingpart113 refers to a space inside thehousing110 in which the contents are stored, and thestandby containing part115 refers to a space or an open side in which thecontents5 stand by for withdrawal.
• The before-passingpart113 and thestandby containing part115 may partially communicate with each other through anopening122 formed in the passingoperation part120, and thecontents5 in the before-passingpart113 may be moved to thestandby containing part115 through theopening122.
• Therefore, the passingoperation part120 is disposed at an inner side of thehousing110 and serves to guide movement of thecontents5. The passingoperation part120 serves to lead movement of thecontents5 by a fixed amount or a demand amount. Here, “fixed amount” refers to the same number or amount or the amount or number varying within an error range. “Demand amount” is an amount (number) required by a user and belongs to the category of “fixed amount.”
• Particularly, the passingoperation part120 includes the contents passing means123 and a passingpassage part139.
• The contents passing means123 serves to allow passage of thecontents5 from the before-passingpart113 to thestandby containing part115.
• Particularly, the contents passing means123 includes apassing movement part140.
• Thepassing movement part140 serves to open by movement and allow thecontents5 to pass.
• That is, thepassing movement part140 serves to interlock with an openingmember124 and close theopening122 that is open. Here, thepassing movement part140 includes a blockingmember127 and the openingmember124.
• For example, in an embodiment in which a single content is a fixed amount, when asingle content5 passes through a front portion of the passingpassage part139, anothersingle content5, which is behind and adjacent to thecontent5 that passed through the front portion of the passingpassage part139, passes through a rear portion of the passingpassage part139, and thecontent5 that passed through the rear portion of the passingpassage part139 moves and comes into contact with the blockingmember127.
• Here, the blockingmember127 may be bent, and a blockingmember bending part127bof the blockingmember127 may be linearly bent or formed as a curved surface.
• A slope of the blockingmember bending part127bat which the blockingmember127 is bent may be steep and be close to the right angle so that contents beyond a demand amount cannot enter the passingoperation part120. Bending is possible at various other angles.
• Then, the blockingmember127 blocks at least a portion of theopening122 and prevents thecontents5 beyond a fixed amount from being introduced into theopening122.
• Particularly, in an initial state in which thehousing110 stands upright on a floor as inFIG. 3, a state in which theopening member124 blocks theopening122 may be maintained by action of a weight balancing force on thepassing movement part140 or by thepassing movement part140 using astopper129.
• That is, as illustrated inFIG. 3, although a force attempting to rotate clockwise with respect to amovement member125 due to a self-weight of the openingmember124 acts on thepassing movement part140, thestopper129 prevents clockwise rotation of thepassing movement part140.
• By the openingmember124 blocking theopening122 while thehousing110 stands upright as in a general container storage state, foreign substances such as air or dust are suppressed from entering thehousing110 through theopening122.
• Further, as inFIG. 3, in the initial state in which thehousing110 stands upright (0° rotation state), a rightward weight leaning action of thepassing movement part140 attempting to rotate clockwise is suppressed by thestopper129 due to action of a force attempting to move to a weight balanced state, and thus the weight balanced state (standstill state) is maintained. Particularly, when thepassing movement part140 is in the rightward weight leaning state, thestopper129 at an upper left end suppresses clockwise rotation of thepassing movement part140.
• Thestopper129 may be changed to have various shapes and be located at various positions.
• In the initial state in which the container stands upright as inFIG. 3, asensor part510, which will be described below, may be caused not to operate. Because power loss occurs when thesensor part510 continuously operates, in order to reduce power consumption, aseparate tilt sensor530 may be mounted and thesensor part510 may be switched from a standby state to an operating state when thetilt sensor530 operates.
• Thesensor part510 and thetilt sensor530 will be described below.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a state of thepassing movement part140 as thehousing110 is tilted to guide passage of thecontents5. Particularly, thepassing movement part140 is rotated (moved) in both directions with respect to the movement member125 (indicated by “C”).
• Also,FIG. 5 illustrates a state of thepassing movement part140 when thehousing110 is tilted 135° counterclockwise from the initial state.
• That is, when thehousing110 is tilted 135° counterclockwise, although thehousing110 is tilted leftward (with respect to the movement member125), which is a direction in which thepassing movement part140 is located, thecontents5 do not slide because thehousing110 is not tilted beyond horizontal (−90°).
• Particularly, a tilt angle of thehousing110 is not limited. Further, a downward direction along a vertical axis of therotation axis125 of thepassing movement part140 indicates the direction of gravity. Although a force of thepassing movement part140 attempting to rotate rightward is generated because a right-side weight is larger with respect to a vertical axis C, actual rotation thereof is prevented by thestopper129.
• That is, while thehousing110 is in a horizontal state (−90°), although the force of thepassing movement part140 attempting to rotate rightward clockwise is generated because the right-side weight with respect to the vertical axis C is larger, actual rotation thereof is prevented by thestopper129. Therefore, thehousing110 moves as much as rotation about an axis of a wrist without rotation of thepassing movement part140 itself.
• Thepassing movement part140 moves corresponding to movement of the contents due to the gravitational action and opens the passingoperation part120 so that the contents pass. When the passingoperation part120 is tilted or moved, thepassing movement part140 may move due to one or more of a self-weight of thepassing movement part140, an inertia of thepassing movement part140, and a force of the contents pressing thepassing movement part140.
• Rotation of thepassing movement part140 that allows the contents to pass may be performed by gravitational motion of the contents or transmission of movement force of the contents to thepassing movement part140 that is due to tilting, flipping, or shaking of the passingoperation part120 while a movement part center-of-rotation210, which is a central axis of rotation of thepassing movement part140, is located in the downward direction, which is the direction of gravity, as illustrated inFIGS. 6 to 8.
• Also, the rotation of thepassing movement part140 may be performed by movement force caused by pressing the contents passing means123 by the self- weight of the contents.
• When a position of a movement part center-of-gravity215 of thepassing movement part140 is disposed in the opposite direction of an outside passing direction of the passingdevice100, which is behind the position of the movement part center-of-rotation210 of thepassing movement part140, and, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the movement part center-of-rotation210, which is the center of rotation of thepassing movement part140, is located in the downward direction, which is the direction of gravity, and the passingoperation part120 is tilted, rotation of thepassing movement part140 may be restrained or delayed due to a difference between the position of the movement part center-of-gravity215 and the position of the movement part center-of-rotation210.
• Further, the passingpassage part139 serves to limit a movement amount of thecontents5 moving to the contents passing means123.
• Specifically, when a length of one end of asingle content5 passing through the passingpassage part139 is different from a length of the other end thereof, because a passage-width minimal inner diameter L1, which is a minimal inner diameter length of an inner space of the passingpassage part139, is less than or equal to two times a content short-direction maximal outer diameter L2, which is a maximal outer diameter length in the short direction of thesingle content5, two ormore contents5 cannot simultaneously enter or pass through the passingpassage part139, and thecontents5 can enter or pass through the passingpassage part139 only one at a time.
• Also, when the length of one end of asingle content5 passing through the passingpassage part139 is different from a length of the other end thereof, the passingpassage part139 guides thecontents5 to pass through the passingpassage part139 along a long-direction end length L3.
• The contents passing means123 includes the blockingmember127 configured to interlock with the openingmember124 and close theopening122 that is open. When asingle content5 passes through the front portion of the passingpassage part139, anothersingle content5, which is behind and adjacent to thecontent5 that passed through the front portion of the passingpassage part139, passes through the rear portion of the passingpassage part139, and thecontent5 that passed through the rear portion of the passingpassage part139 moves and comes into contact with the blockingmember127 so that the blockingmember127 blocks at least a portion of theopening122 and prevents contents beyond a fixed amount from being introduced into theopening122.
• In the case of the present embodiment, for a fixed amount ofcontents5, which is asingle content5, to enter up to a position at which theopening member124 is placed, due to a weight balancing force of thepassing movement part140, the openingmember124 is closed and the blockingmember127 is open as illustrated inFIG. 5 before the contents come into contact with the openingmember124. Such a standby state is maintained before the fixed amount of contents enters the passingoperation part120.
• Also, when the fixed amount ofcontents5 comes into contact with the openingmember124, as illustrated inFIGS. 7 and 8, the openingmember124 and the blockingmember127 rotate by interlocking with each other, and the openingmember124 is opened while the blockingmember127 is closed. In this case, due to the closed state of the blockingmember127, contents beyond the fixed amount is continuously prevented from entering theopening122.
• Thepassing movement part140 is rotatably disposed at a fixingmember121 which corresponds to an inner side surface of theopening122. When theopening122 is opened in the order fromFIGS. 6 to 8 by an operation of tilting the passingoperation part120 in the order fromFIGS. 3 to 5, thecontents5 are withdrawn, and then the passingoperation part120 is returned to an upright position as illustrated inFIG. 12, due to the weight balancing force of thepassing movement part140, thepassing movement part140 is returned to a state in which the blockingmember127 is opened with respect to themovement member125 as illustrated inFIG. 3 or 12.
• Therefore, when the passingoperation part120 is tilted again in the order fromFIG. 3, which indicates the returned position, toFIG. 5, for the contents to be withdrawn again, the fixed amount of contents that approaches thepassing movement part140 for the first time may enter without being blocked by the blockingmember127 and come into contact with the openingmember124. By such a rotation operation of thepassing movement part140, all of the contents in the containermain body110 may be withdrawn by the fixed amount at a time.
• Amovement guide part180 configured to introduce thecontents5 into the passingpassage part139 is disposed below the passingpassage part139.
• Particularly, at least a portion of themovement guide part180 is formed to be inclined so that thecontents5 are guided along an inclined surface to a position at which the passingpassage part139 is located.
• That is, when thehousing110 including the passingoperation part120 is tilted, thecontents5 move along the inclined surface in a direction of gravity of themovement guide part180.
• Particularly, the passingoperation part120 has theopening122 and is formed so that theopening122 protrudes to a predetermined height.
• Further, because at least a portion of the inclined surface of themovement guide part180 is curved and formed to be gradually narrowed, thecontents5 are guided to move toward the passingoperation part120 through the narrowing curved surface.
• Also, a movement angle of the openingmember124 may be limited by one or more of thestopper129 disposed in the contents passing means123 and acover30 connected to thehousing110 including the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thestopper129 extends from themovement member125 and serves to maintain a state in which the blockingmember127 completely blocks theopening122 while the openingmember124 does not move further. That is, thestopper129 is formed in the contents passing means123 or thehousing110 and serves to limit an angle of rotation of the openingmember124.
• Acontents containing apparatus1 including the passingdevice100 may be a container apparatus.
• More specifically, the contents passing means123 includes thepassing movement part140 configured to open by movement and allow thecontents5 to pass.
• Also, thepassing movement part140 includes the openingmember124 configured to move in a passing direction of thecontents5 and form a passing space of thecontents5 and the blockingmember127 configured to interlock with the openingmember124 and block at least a portion of theopening122 to prevent passage of thecontents5 or allow only a portion of thecontents5 to pass.
• Because the blockingmember127 interlocks with the openingmember124 and blocks at least a portion of theopening122, the blockingmember127 may preventcontents5 beyond a fixed amount from passing through theopening122.
• Also, the passingoperation part120 includes the fixingmember121 forming theopening122 to pass the contents, and themovement guide part180 configured to guide introduction of thecontents5 into the contents passing means123.
• In this case, thecontents5 pass due to deformation of the contents passing means123, particularly, due to rotation of the openingmember124.
• That is, the passingoperation part120 forms theopening122 communicating with the before-passingpart113 in which thecontents5 are located before passing and allows passage of thecontents5 located in the before-passingpart113. Particularly, the contents passing means123 moves thecontents5 through theopening122.
• In other words, the passing space of thecontents5 may be formed due to movement of an unfixed free end of the openingmember124 caused by at least one of pressing by the weight of thecontents5, shaking of thehousing110 including the passingoperation part120, and the self-weight of the openingmember124.
• Meanwhile, the passingdevice100 may be an opening-closing apparatus that is applied to thecontents moving apparatus1 or containing apparatus and can be opened and closed from a main body of thecontents moving apparatus1 or containing apparatus.
• Also, the passingdevice100 includes the passingoperation part120. Further, the passingoperation part120 guides movement of thecontents5 in the before-passingpart113 of the main body of thecontents moving apparatus1 or containing apparatus toward the passingdevice100. Here, the main body of thecontents moving apparatus1 or containing apparatus may refer to thehousing110.
• Further, thepassing movement part140 includes themovement member125. Themovement member125 may movably connect the openingmember124.
• The passingoperation part120 includes the passingpassage part139 formed to extend from a passing discharge side, which is a side at which thecontents5 come into contact with the contents passing means123, to a passing entry side, which is a side at which thecontents5 enter.
• Also, the passingpassage part139 serves to guide movement of thecontents5 to the contents passing means123.
• Further, thepassing movement part140 may include abalance part123bconfigured to suppress thepassing movement part140 from being tilted together with the passingoperation part120 at a slope exceeding the slope of the passingoperation part120 when the passingoperation part120 is tilted.
• The passage of thecontents5 is guided through theopening122 according to whether the passing space formed by movement of the openingmember124 is open. In this case, the openingmember124 may be directly or indirectly connected to the fixingmember121.
• In other words, when the passingoperation part120 is tilted toward the passingdevice100, which is a direction in which thecontents5 slide, a weight leaning force in the opposite direction of the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted acts on thepassing movement part140, and the openingmember124 is suppressed from being tilted due to the self-weight of the openingmember124 by a tilt angle of the passingoperation part120 or more in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted.
• Further, thebalance part123bis configured so that a force attempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 that is tilted to pass thecontents5 is generated in a weight balanced state of thebalance part123b. Therefore, by weight balancing of thebalance part123b, the openingmember124 is not leaned back in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted, and the force attempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 acts on the openingmember124.
• In this case, the fixingmember121 may be disposed at an inner circumferential surface of an inner through-hole space of the passingdevice100 connected to the openingmember124 or may be a member of thehousing110 included in the passingdevice100.
• Particularly, when the contents move in contact with an outer curved surface of themovement member125 or an outer surface of the openingmember124 in a passing direction of the contents or an opposite direction of the passing direction, the contents move by being resisted outward from a circumference of amovement fixing part125a.
• In this case, passage of contents beyond a demand amount is prevented because an available passing space of theopening122 is narrowed due to the contents moving outward from the circumference of themovement fixing part125a. That is, when thecontents5 come into contact with the openingmember124 as the passingoperation part120 is tilted, the weight of thecontents5 is at least partially or entirely added to thebalance part123b,and the weight of thebalance part123bis leaned in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted. In this case, thebalance part123brotates in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted when weight leaning toward the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted that occurs due to the weight of thecontents5 added to the openingmember124 of thebalance part123bexceeds a balance maintaining force attempting to reach a position at which only thebalance part123b, which attempts to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120, is balanced.
• Further, because contents move by being pushed in an opposite axial direction along an outer surface, which is the curved surface of themovement member125, an available passing space through which other contents pass together is not present.
• In this case, a protruding configuration formed by a curved surface or the like along the outer surface of themovement member125 to reduce the available passing space through which other contents pass together is a bottom-height changing member147. The bottom-height changing member147 serves to narrow a space of theopening122, which is opened so that the contents pass, by relatively increasing a height of a bottom of themovement member125 with which the contents come into contact while passing.
• Also, the shape of thepassing movement part140 may be formed or members constituting thepassing movement part140 may be coupled so that, when the housing including the passingoperation part120 is tilted, the weight or the center-of-gravity of thepassing movement part140 or thebalance part123b,which at least includes the openingmember124, does not cause rotation due to the self-weight of thepassing movement part140 before required contents come into contact with the openingmember124.
• Also, the contents passing means123 includes themovement member125, and themovement member125 rotatably connects the openingmember124.
• Particularly, the passingoperation part120 includes the fixingmember121 including theopening122 to pass thecontents5.
• The contents passing means123 includes the openingmember124 and themovement member125.
• The openingmember124 is connected to the fixingmember121. Thus, the openingmember124 may move and guide reception of thecontents5 according to whether theopening122 is opened.
• Also, themovement member125 movably connects the openingmember124.
• Therefore, when thecontents5 press the openingmember124, thecontents5 are introduced as the openingmember124 is leaned back, and the blockingmember127 interlocks with the openingmember124 and blocks at least a portion of theopening122, and thus passage of thecontents5 beyond a demand amount is prevented.
• In this case, when the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 is tilted, due to a force attempting to maintain balance of the center of gravity of thepassing movement part140 or attempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 to reach the balance, thepassing movement part140 is tilted beyond a slope of the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 and becomes thebalance part123bthat is not tilted further.
• In this case, as illustrated inFIG. 5, a direction of the force of thepassing movement part140 or thebalance part123battempting to maintain balance or attempting to rotate to reach balance is generated by a force of thepassing movement part140 or thebalance part123battempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1. Particularly, thepassing movement part140 may include a separatemovement control member123ato balance the center of gravity of thepassing movement part140.
• When the passingoperation part120 is tilted, themovement control member123amay prevent theopening member124 from being tilted by a slope exceeding the slope of the passingoperation part120 by a force attempting to maintain a center-of-gravity position in the direction of gravity by action of a weight balancing force to the center of gravity of thebalance part123bdue to weights of the openingmember124 and themovement control member123aor weights of the openingmember124, themovement control member123a, and a separate member moving together with the openingmember124.
• When the passingoperation part120 is tilted in a direction in which the contents slide toward the passingdevice100, a weight leaning force in the opposite direction of the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted acts on thepassing movement part140, and thus the openingmember124 is suppressed from being tilted due to the self-weight of the openingmember124 by the tilt angle of the passingoperation part120 or more in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted.
• In thebalance part123bincluding the openingmember124, before the contents slide down due to tilting of the passingoperation part120 and come into contact with the openingmember124 such that the weight of the contents is added in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted and weight leaning occurs in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted, the openingmember124 is suppressed from moving due to the self-weight of the openingmember124 in a direction in which theopening member124 is opened for discharge of the contents, and an opening standby state is maintained before the contents come into contact with the openingmember124.
• In this way, thepassing movement part140 becomes thebalance part123b, and thebalance part123bmay be configured so that a force attempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 that is tilted to pass thecontents5 is generated in a weight balanced state of thebalance part123b. Therefore, by weight balancing of thebalance part123b,the openingmember124 is not leaned back in the direction in which the passingoperation part120 is tilted, and the force attempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 acts on the openingmember124.
• Also, the force of thebalance part123battempting to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 may be resisted by a member of a contents apparatus such as the fixingmember121 or thehousing110, and rotation in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 may be suppressed from occurring. Therefore, thebalance part123bis not leaned back in the direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 due to the force attempting to maintain a balanced state or rotate in a balancing direction of thebalance part123b, and rotation in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 is resisted by the fixingmember121 or thehousing110 and suppressed by the force attempting to maintain the balanced state or rotate in the balancing direction of thebalance part123b.
• When the contents come into contact with the openingmember124 as the passingoperation part120 is tilted, the weight of the contents is at least partially or entirely added to thebalance part123b,and weight leaning of thebalance part123boccurs in the direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120, which is a leftward direction inFIGS. 7 and 8. In this case, when the weight leaning in the direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120 that occurs due to the weight of the contents added to the openingmember124 of thebalance part123bexceeds a balance maintaining force attempting to reach a position at which only thebalance part123b, which attempts to rotate in the opposite direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120, is balanced, thebalance part123brotates in the direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120. In this case, due to the rotation of thebalance part123bhaving contact resistance with a member of the contents apparatus such as the fixingmember121 or thehousing110, thebalance part123bmay be suppressed from rotating more than necessary in the direction of tilting of the passingoperation part120.
• When the passingoperation part120 is tilted together with the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1, thebalance part123bor thepassing movement part140 is not tilted beyond the slope of the passingoperation part120 due to action of a force attempting to balance the weight around the center of gravity of thebalance part123bor thepassing movement part140, and thebalance part123bor thepassing movement part140 may maintain its position and slope in the passingoperation part120.
• That is, thepassing movement part140 may be disposed in theopening122 so as to be capable of a seesaw motion, and when the passingoperation part120 is tilted within a predetermined angle due to the seesaw motion, the passingoperation part120 may maintain its initial state so that the openingmember124 does not open theopening122.
• Due to a force of the contents pushing thepassing movement part140 or due to the force of the contents pushing thepassing movement part140 and the self-weight of thepassing movement part140, theopening122 is opened, and the passage of a predetermined amount of contents is guided.
• A predetermined angle may be set as a tilt angle that does not exceed 180° from the initial upright state of the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 having the opening122 formed therein.
• Thepassing movement part140 may perform the seesaw motion due to weight leaning leftward or rightward with respect to themovement member125, which is the center of rotation.
• In a standby state in which the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 having the opening122 formed therein is tilted, the weight of thepassing movement part140 may be leaned toward the blockingmember127 with respect to themovement member125, which is the center of rotation, and the blockingmember127 may get caught in a stopper and keep theopening122 open without blocking theopening122.
• When the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 having the opening122 formed therein is tilted within the predetermined angle, the weight of thepassing movement part140 may be leaned toward the opposite side of the direction of tilting, and thus the openingmember124 may keep theopening122 blocked.
• When the contents moving apparatus or containingapparatus1 having the opening122 formed therein is tilted, the weight of the contents introduced into theopening122 may be added to thepassing movement part140, and thepassing movement part140 may be rotated about themovement member125, which is the center of rotation, and open theopening122.
• In this way, thepassing movement part140 may open or close theopening122 by rotating back and forth in theopening122 with respect to themovement member125 by a weight balancing principle of a seesaw lever.
• Thepassing movement part140 may keep theopening122 closed by the self-weight when the passingoperation part120 rotates within the predetermined angle and may sequentially open or close theopening122 by the pushing force of contents or by the force of the contents pushing thepassing movement part140 and the self-weight of thepassing movement part140 and guide passage of a predetermined amount of contents.
• Thepassing movement part140 may include thebalance part123bconfigured to suppress thepassing movement part140 from being tilted beyond the slope of the passingoperation part120 due to the self-weight of thepassing movement part140 when the passingoperation part120 is tilted.
• Thepassing movement part140 may include the openingmember124 configured to move in the passing direction of the contents and form a passing space of the contents.
• Thepassing movement part140 may include the blockingmember127 configured to interlock with the openingmember124 and block at least a portion of theopening122 to prevent passage of the contents or allow only a portion of the contents to pass.
• The passingoperation part120 or the contents passing means123 may have a shape such that rotation due to the self-weight of thepassing movement part140 does not occur due to weight balancing before a predetermined amount of contents come into contact with the openingmember124.
• Thepassing movement part140 may further include themovement control member123afor setting center-of-gravity balance of lever motion.
• The passingoperation part120 includes aresistive member110adisposed therein, and theresistive member110alimits passage of contents passing inside the passingoperation part120.
• The passingoperation part120 includes theresistive member110adisposed therein. Theresistive member110amay limit passage of contents passing inside the passingoperation part120 and resist passage of the contents in conjunction with the blockingmember127.
• Theresistive member110amay protrude toward the inside of the passingoperation part120 so that entry of contents beyond a demand amount is not easy. Also, theresistive member110amay more effectively block entry of contents beyond the demand amount in conjunction with the blockingmember127 that moves.
• Theresistive member110amay be formed in various ways. For convenience, theresistive member110ais illustrated as being formed by a portion of a resistiveupper plate member182 being concavely recessed inward.
• Also, thepassing movement part140 includes a containingmember127a.
• The containingmember127ainterlocks with the openingmember124, moves toward the openingmember124, and moves together with the openingmember124 while containing a demand amount of contents.
• Further, thecontents5 come into contact with any one of the resistiveupper plate member182 and a resistiveside plate member183, and a remaining amount of contents that passed through theopening122 is limited.
• The resistiveupper plate member182 may be disposed at themovement guide part180, and the resistiveside plate member183 may be connected to the resistiveupper plate member182 or the fixingmember121.
• Particularly, the resistiveside plate member183 may be formed at a surface of the fixingmember121 toward the passing direction of thecontents5, but, when thecover30 that is open is disposed, the resistiveside plate member183 is formed at thecover30 so that, when thecover30 is opened, the resistiveside plate member183 moves together with thecover30 and does not interfere when the contents are picked up.
• Of course the resistiveupper plate member182 and the resistiveside plate member183 may be changed to have various other shapes in the passing direction of thecontents5 and a side direction of passing.
• Also, themovement guide part180 has acontents leading part188 formed at an entry side for thecontents5. Thecontents leading part188 divides a height difference generated during movement of the contents to the contents passing means123 into a plurality of stages or configures the height difference as an inclined surface to prevent the height difference from blocking movement of contents and lead movement of the contents so that contents in the before-passingpart113 are led to stably move to the passingpassage part139. Of course thecontents leading part188 may be changed to have various other shapes.
• Meanwhile, the passingdevice100 further includes the passingapparatus entry part119.
• The passingapparatus entry part119 is formed in thehousing110 to set a moving direction and a moving state of thecontents5 so that thecontents5 moving to a discharge side of the passingoperation part120 are guided to be discharged one by one or by a fixed amount.
• Particularly, thehousing110 includes asmall diameter part116 and alarge diameter part117.
• Thesmall diameter part116 mounts the fixingmember121 and is formed to have a small diameter so that thecontents5 are guided to move toward themovement guide part180. In this case, the diameter of thesmall diameter part116 is similar to or same as a circumferential trajectory formed along thecontents leading part188, aguide member190, and the resistiveupper plate member182.
• Also, thelarge diameter part117 is formed to have a larger inner space than thesmall diameter part117 to initially store a predetermined amount of contents. Of course the diameter of thelarge diameter part117 is not limited.
• Also, the passingapparatus entry part119 is formed at a connecting portion between thesmall diameter part116 and thelarge diameter part117 of thehousing110 and formed to be convex inward and have a curvature along the circumferential trajectory. Thus, thecontents5 are moved along the passingapparatus entry part119 and guided to be introduced into thecontents leading part188 and theguide member190 by a fixed amount each time.
• Of course the passingapparatus entry part119 may be changed to have various other shapes.
• A sliding start end of thecontents leading part188 that leads the contents to the passingpassage part139 is located in the vicinity of or in contact with an inner diameter of thesmall diameter part116, which is a neck portion of thehousing110, which is the container main body of the present embodiment. Therefore, the sliding start end of thecontents leading part188 is disposed to be connected to the passingapparatus entry member119, which has a curved shape, so that contents smoothly move and slide and are guided to move from thelarge diameter part117 to the passingpassage part139.
• In an injection blow container, because a pneumatic pressure is applied to an opening of thehousing110 of the container, thesmall diameter part116 which is the neck portion narrower than thelarge diameter part117, which is a body of the container, is formed.
• Therefore, in the case of the injection blow container, an end portion of thecontents leading part188 disposed in the passingdevice100 has an inclined, bent, or stepped shape and allows an inner diameter of the container neck (the small diameter part116) and an inner diameter of the container body (the large diameter part117) to be entirely or partially connected so that, when thehousing110 is tilted and the contents slide, the contents can smoothly move to the passingpassage part139.
• Of course when a step is formed between a contents entry portion of thecontents leading part188 and thelarge diameter part117 as in the present embodiment, ashape changing part119 configured to connect the step between the contents entry portion of thecontents leading part188 and thelarge diameter part117 may be disposed. In the case of the present embodiment, theshape changing part119 is the passing apparatus entry part that connects the step between thesmall diameter part116 and thelarge diameter part117 and guides supply and movement of contents at the step in the housing.
• Also, even in the case of an injection container in which an inlet is not narrower than a container body in addition to the case of the injection blow container of the present embodiment in which the inlet is narrower than the container body, because an operation position of a rotation shaft of the openingmember124 of thepassing movement part140 is disposed to be spaced apart inward from the inner diameter of thehousing110 of the container, there may be a difference between the operation position and a position of solid contents that slide and move, and to connect the step therebetween, the contents entry portion of thecontents leading part188 facing a bottom of the container may have an inclined, bent, or stepped shape.
• In the cases of both the injection blow container and the injection container, an operation position of the openingmember124 is disposed inward of an inner diameter of the container, a step difference is formed between the operation position and a position of contents approaching from thecontainer body117, and thecontents leading part188 having an inclined, bent, or stepped shape to connect the step therebetween is included.
• In the container main body (the housing110) of the present embodiment, which is the injection blow container, because a pneumatic pressure is applied to an upper opening of the body, thesmall diameter part116 narrower than thelarge diameter part117 is formed.
• In the present embodiment, thecontents leading part188 configured to connect the step between the openingmember124, which is disposed to be spaced apart from the inner diameter of thesmall diameter part116, and the inner diameter of thesmall diameter part116 is disposed.
• In the case of the injection blow container as in the present embodiment, thestep connecting part188 connects the inside of thesmall diameter part116 of the container and the inside of thecontainer body117 so that contents slide smoothly.
• Also, the passingapparatus entry part119, which is an inclined portion that connects thesmall diameter part116 narrower than thecontainer body117 and thelarge diameter part117 in which contents are stored to stand by for movement, is included. The passingapparatus entry part119 may serve to connect a step that is generated when thehousing110 is tilted and the contents in thelarge diameter part117 move to thecontents leading part188.
• Unlike in the present embodiment, when a step start point, which is a step start end of thecontents leading part188 facing the bottom of the container, is larger than the inner diameter of thesmall diameter part116, in order to insert the passingdevice100 into thehousing110, a lower portion of the passingdevice100 that includes the start point of thecontents leading part188 facing the bottom of the container, which is the step start point of thecontents leading part188, has to be first inserted in a vertical direction, the position of the passing device has to be moved in a horizontal direction, and then the passingdevice100 has to be inserted again in the vertical direction. Therefore, three steps including vertical movement at the time of assembly, horizontal movement which is an intermediate step, and vertical movement after the horizontal movement are required.
• Meanwhile, as in the present embodiment, the start point of thecontents leading part188, at which thecontents leading part188 of the passingdevice100 is in the vicinity of the inner diameter of the housing, and theguide member190 may be disposed inside thesmall diameter part116, and thus the passingdevice100 may be directly inserted into thehousing110 in one direction at the time of assembly to thehousing110.
• Particularly, this is shown in a characteristic of the blow container in which a portion of thecontainer neck116, which is thesmall diameter part116, is produced to be smaller than thecontainer body117, which is thelarge diameter part117, as in the present embodiment. Thehousing110, which is the injection blow container, includes a convex body and thesmall diameter part116 in which a main portion of the passingdevice100 is disposed.
• Therefore, when an entire outer diameter of the lower portion of the passingdevice100 including thecontents leading part188, which is toward thelarge diameter part117, is formed to be smaller than the inner diameter of thesmall diameter part116 of the container, at the time of assembling the passingdevice100 to the container main body, the passingdevice100 is inserted into thehousing110, which is the container main body, at once in one direction without the horizontal movement which is the intermediate step.
• Meanwhile, an upper end of thesmall diameter part116 may be widely formed or a step may be formed in thesmall diameter part116 so that the passingdevice100 is assembled to the container main body and supported from top to bottom of the ground.
• Also, a protrusion may be formed at an outer diameter of the upper portion of the passingdevice100 so that the passingdevice100, which is a contents passing dispenser, is prevented from being separated to the outside due to the weight of contents coming into contact with the passingdevice100 when the container is tilted, a groove corresponding to the protrusion may be formed at an upper end of thesmall diameter part116 of thehousing110, and the protrusion and the groove may be engaged with each other when the passingdevice100 is inserted into thehousing110.
• A cover of various shapes may be coupled to the upper end of thesmall diameter part116.
• Of course thehousing110 may be connected in a straight line without differentiation of thelarge diameter part117 and thesmall diameter part116 or may be formed in other various shapes. That is, thehousing110 may be manufactured in various shapes such as the shape of a container having an equal diameter throughout.
• As a result, in the initial upright state, the openingmember124 keeps theopening122 blocked by the weight balancing force of thepassing movement part140. That is, when a force attempting to rotate toward one side (rightward) is acted, thestopper129 prevents rotation of thepassing movement part140 toward the one side.
• Also, thecontents5 do not slide because thehousing110 is tilted toward the other side (leftward), which is the direction in which thepassing movement part140 is disposed, and is not tilted beyond horizontal. Further, when thecontainer110 is tilted within a predetermined angle (within 90°), gravity acts downward along the vertical axis of the center of rotation of thepassing movement part140. Thus, even when a weight at one side is larger with respect to the vertical axis and a force attempting to rotate toward the one side is generated, actual rotation is prevented by thestopper129.
• When thehousing110 is horizontal, although a weight at one side with respect to an arbitrary vertical axis becomes larger and a force attempting to rotate toward the one side is generated, actual rotation is prevented by thestopper129. Therefore, rotation of thepassing movement part140 itself does not occur.
• Further, when thehousing110 is tilted beyond horizontal, a standby state without movement of thepassing movement part140 is reached in a state in which the blockingmember127 is open. In this case, thecontents5 slide and move in the direction of gravity along the slope of the inside of thehousing110.
• Particularly, even when a step is formed between thehousing110 and theguide member190, asingle content5 in the form of a tablet may be laid down without being stood upright and enter theguide member190.
• In this case, a state in which afirst content5 of thecontents5 in thehousing110 does not enter a passing compartment part124adisposed between the openingmember124 of thepassing movement part140 and the blockingmember127 is reached.
• Further, thecontents5 in a rectangular shape instead of a flat shape stably slide along the slope of theguide member190 without being stood upright.
• In this case, thecontents5 do not come into contact with thepassing movement part140 before thehousing110 is tilted beyond 90°.
• Meanwhile, when thehousing110 is tilted beyond 90°, thepassing movement part140 moves (rotates) together with thecontents5 in a space of the passing compartment part124adue to friction between thecontents5 and the bottom-height changing member147 or the force of thecontents5 pushing the openingmember124.
• In this case, because a weight at the left side with respect to the vertical axis, which is the direction of load and gravity of thecontents5, becomes larger than a weight at the right side and the weight leans toward the left side (seeFIG. 9), thepassing movement part140 rotates leftward counterclockwise with respect to the center ofrotation125 and passes thecontents5 to the outside.
• Although a fixed amount of thecontents5 is discharged to the outside and does not come into contact with thepassing movement part140, the weight at the right side becomes larger, and a force of thepassing movement part140 attempting to rotate rightward is generated, the remainingcontents5 come into contact with the blockingmember127 due to gravity and the state without rotation is maintained.
• Particularly,FIG. 5 illustrates a state in which thehousing110 is tilted beyond horizontal (−90° or more). In this case, an initial state without movement (rotation) of thepassing movement part140 is maintained in a state in which the blockingmember127 is opened. Thecontents5 slide and begin moving along the slope of the inside of thehousing110 due to a force in the direction of gravity (indicated by “C”).
• Even when a step is formed between thehousing110 and theguide member190, asingle content5 in the form of a tablet may be laid down without being stood upright and enter theguide member190. A state in which the first content (pill5) has not yet entered the passing compartment part124adisposed between the openingmember124 of thepassing movement part140 and the blockingmember127 is reached.
• Thecontents5 in the form of a tablet instead of the form of a flat pill stably slide along the slope of theguide member190 without being stood upright.
• Although thepassing movement part140 is in a state of being tilted beyond 90° counterclockwise with respect to the initial state due to the slope of thehousing110, thecontents5 are not in contact with thepassing movement part140. Although thepassing movement part140 attempts to rotate clockwise, which is rightward, due to the weight leaning rightward with respect to themovement member125, the rotation is suppressed by thestopper129, and the standby state is maintained.
• InFIG. 5, when thehousing110 is tilted by a predetermined slope, e.g., 90° or more, counterclockwise, thecontents5, such as pills, slide and move toward the passing device. In this case, the openingmember124 and thepassing movement part140 maintain the same posture and state without separate self-rotation. InFIG. 5, a quantity of light detected by alight receiving part420 of thesensor part510 in a state in which thecontents5 are not moved toward an inside of the blocking member and thecontents5 do not block thelight receiving part420 of thesensor part510 is large. In this case, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 may be calculated as, for example, about 80%.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which thecontents5 enter the inner space of thepassing movement part140 in a state in which the blockingmember127 is open.
• Because the self-weight of thecontents5 is added to thebalance part123bof thepassing movement part124, and the weight leaning toward the left portion with respect to the vertical axis of gravity (indicated by “C”), which is toward the openingmember124, is relatively increased, due to resistance between thebalance part123band thecontents5, thepassing movement part140 may be tilted beyond the slope of thehousing110 and rotate counterclockwise as thecontents5 approach to come into contact with the openingmember124 or come into contact with the openingmember124.
• In this case, thepassing movement part140 moves together with thecontents5 in the space of the passing compartment part124adue to friction between thecontents5, which move in the direction of gravity along a tilted inclined surface, and thebalance part123bor the force of thecontents5 pushing the openingmember124.
• FIG. 6 shows a state in which thecontents5 are moved to come into contact with the openingmember124 of the passing device. In this case, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 of thesensor part510 is relatively smaller than that received in the state ofFIG. 5 in which thecontents5 are not moved toward the inside of the blocking member, and may be calculated as, for example, 20%.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which thepassing movement part140 is further rotated counterclockwise with respect to themovement member125 from the initial state, and the blockingmember127 begins to blockcontents6 that enter after the fixed amount of contents (pills5).
• In this case, the weight leans leftward due to the load of thecontents5, which are in the form of a pill, as well as the left-side weight of thepassing movement part140 becoming larger than the right-side weight thereof with respect to the vertical axis of gravity (indicated by “C”), and thepassing movement part140 may rotate leftward counterclockwise with respect to the center of rotation of themovement member125 and pass thecontents5 to the outside.
• FIG. 7 illustrates a state in which the pills move to be discharged to the outside and the blockingmember127 does not completely block passage of the pills. When alight emitting part410 transmits a predetermined quantity of light in a state in which the passage of the pills is blocked, thelight receiving part420 receives and measures a small quantity of light in a state in which the pills block transmission of a medium such as light moving from thelight emitting part410 to thelight receiving part420. In this case, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 may be calculated as, for example, about 20%.
• When thepassing movement part140 is further rotated counterclockwise with respect to themovement member125 from the initial state as inFIG. 8, a fixed amount of thecontents5 that was pushing thepassing movement part140 begins to be discharged to the outside and does not come into contact with the openingmember124 of thepassing movement part140 anymore, the right-side weight of thepassing movement part140 becomes larger with respect to the central axis (indicated by “C”), and a force of thepassing movement part140 attempting to rotate clockwise, which is rightward, is generated. However, as the remainingcontents6 come into contact with the blockingmember127 due to gravity, thevalve100 maintains the current state without being restored rightward and does not allow anymore contents5 to enter the space of the passing compartment part124a.
• FIG. 8 illustrates a state in which a pill is coming out while pushing the openingmember124 but is not completely discharged to the outside. In this state, the blocking member blocks a second pill from entering.
• Although most pills are completely discharged to the outside, an error in which a pill is stuck in a container inlet portion and not completely discharged to the outside may occur. In this case, the quantity of light received may be calculated as, for example, about 50%.
• Even in this case, when the pill is stuck with a majority thereof already discharged, a majority of the quantity of light transmitted from thelight emitting part410 may be sensed by thelight receiving part420. The quantity of light received in this case may be calculated as, for example, about 75%.
• When the second pill also passes through the blocking member unlike inFIG. 8, two pills may come out, or both the first pill and the second pill may be jammed and not come out.
• FIG. 9 illustrates a state in which a pill is completely discharged.
• When thelight emitting part410 emits a predetermined quantity of light in a state in which there is no pill, thelight receiving part420 receives and measures a received quantity of light in a state in which the passage of light is not blocked by pills. In this case, an amount of change in the quantity of light received by the light receiving part that occurs due to a change in movement of thepassing movement part140 may be considered as a compensation value. For example, the quantity of light received in this case may be calculated as, for example, about 80%.
• When thesingle content5 has the form of a tablet in which a length X is the same as or similar to a width Y and a height Z as inFIG. 11 or has any shape that is not flat, a space of the passingpassage part139 may be formed as a space having a horizontal width that exceeds a width of a single content and is less than or equal to two times the width of the single content when a fixed amount ofcontents5 is asingle content5.
• When the single content is passed as the fixed amount, the passing space of the passingpassage part139 may have a passing space limit in a range in which a length of the shortest width in the horizontal direction exceeds a cross-sectional axial length of thecontent5 and is less than or equal to two times the cross-sectional axial length. This prevents thecontents5 beyond a single content from simultaneously passing through the passingpassage part139. When a plurality ofcontents5 are simultaneously passed, the passing space limit may be adjusted to be larger than two times the cross-sectional axial length.
• InFIG. 12, when the fixed amount ofcontents5 is a single content and the single content is passed as the fixed amount through a space whose vertical height exceeds one times the maximal length of a height or a width of thesingle content5 and is less than two times the maximal length, the passing space of the passingpassage part139 may have a passing space limit in which a length of the shortest width in the vertical direction is less than or equal to two times the cross-sectional axial length of thecontent5. This prevents thecontents5 beyond a single content from simultaneously passing through the passingpassage part139.
• FIG. 13 illustrates a process in which thepassing movement part140 is being returned to the state before tilting or a case in which thepassing movement part140 is being stood upright. When thehousing110 is moved clockwise and returned to its initial state after the fixed amount of thecontents5 is passed to the outside, thecontent5 does not come into contact with the blockingmember127 as thecontent6 that was in contact with the blockingmember127 and pressing the blockingmember127 moves downward due to gravity (indicated by “C”), and thepassing movement part140 rotates clockwise, which is rightward, due to the weight leaning rightward with respect to themovement member125, rotates to a point resisted by thestopper129, and is returned to its initial state. When the blockingmember127 is returned to the state of being open, when thepassing movement part140 is tilted leftward again, a passing standby state in which thepassing movement part140 does not rotate before thecontent5 initially comes into contact with thepassing movement part140 is reached.
• Then, when thehousing110 is tilted toward theopening122, as illustrated inFIG. 5, a preparation step is satisfied such that it is possible to lead the fixed amount ofcontents5.
• InFIG. 14, thelight emitting part410 is installed in the vicinity of thepassing movement part140 in the passingoperation part120 or the containermain body110 and emits light in an axial direction of themovement member125 disposed in thepassing movement part140 that guides discharge of thecontents5. The quantity or data of light emitted by thelight emitting part410 that is reflected from thecontents5 varies according to whether thecontents5 are discharged through thepassing movement part140.
• Here, an installation position of thelight emitting part410 is not particularly limited to the above, and thelight emitting part410 may be installed at various positions at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• Particularly, thelight emitting part410 may be installed in asupport part440 protruding from themovement guide part180. In this case, a penetratingpart450 may be formed in the passingoperation part120 so that light emitted from thelight emitting part410 can be emitted to thepassing movement part140.
• Thelight receiving part420 is installed at themovement guide part180 at the other side of thelight emitting part410 and receives light emitted from thelight emitting part410.
• Thelight receiving part420 is not limited to being installed at themovement guide part180 as described above and may be installed at various positions at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• In this case, the penetratingpart450 is formed in the passingoperation part120 so that light emitted from thelight emitting part410 can be emitted to thepassing movement part140. Thus, light emitted through thelight emitting part410 may be received by thelight receiving part420 through the penetratingpart450.
• Therefore, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 may be reflected by thecontents5 or received by thelight receiving part420 according to whether thecontents5 block the penetratingpart450 or are discharged through the penetratingpart450.
• A signal medium transmitted from a transmitting part, which is thelight emitting part410 of the present embodiment, and received by a receiving part, which is thelight receiving part420, is not limited to light of the present embodiment. The signal medium may include magnetism, radio waves, temperature, pressure, vibration, gas, and the like, and a sensor part may include a transmitting part configured to transmit the signal medium and a receiving part configured to receive the signal medium, or a sensor part may include only a receiving part, which is configured to receive a signal generated from the signal medium, without a transmitting part.
• The passingoperation part120 serves to lead movement of thecontents5 by a fixed amount or a demand amount. Here, “fixed amount” refers to the same number or amount or the amount or number varying within an error range. “Demand amount” is an amount (number) required by a user and belongs to the category of “fixed amount.”
• FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 15, in the contents conveying apparatus including the passing device, at the upper portion, i.e., the inlet, of thehousing110, the passingdevice100 and a sensor part, which will be described below, may be inserted into the upper portion of thehousing110 while being detachably installed therein.
• In this case, the passingdevice100 may be installed to be seated on the upper portion of thehousing110, and thecover30 may be coupled to thehousing110 through screw threads.
• That is, because the passingdevice100 and the sensor part are detachably installed in thehousing110 and thecover30 is rotatably coupled to thehousing110 through the screw threads, the user may easily couple the passingdevice100 and the sensor part.
• In this case, heights of upper end portions of the passingdevice100 and the sensor part may be similar to the height of the upper end portion of thehousing110, and the user may easily detach the corresponding passingdevice100 and sensor part while holding a handle (not illustrated) disposed at the passingdevice100.
• FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 16, in the contents conveying apparatus including the passing device, at the upper portion, i.e., the inlet, of thehousing110, the passingdevice100 and a sensor part, which will be described below, may be inserted into the upper portion of thehousing110 while being detachably installed therein.
• In this case, the passingdevice100 may be installed to be seated on the upper portion of thehousing110, and thecover30 may be coupled through screw threads.
• That is, because the passingdevice100 and the sensor part are detachably installed in thehousing110 and thecover30 is rotatably coupled to thehousing110 through the screw threads, the user may easily couple the passingdevice100 and the sensor part.
• In this case, heights of upper end portions of the passingdevice100 and the sensor part are relatively higher than the height of the upper end portion of thehousing110. Thus, the user may easily detach the passingdevice100 and the sensor part while holding the corresponding passingdevice100.
• FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a contents conveying apparatus including a passing device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 17, in the contents conveying apparatus including the passing device, unlike in the second embodiment and the third embodiment described above, the passingdevice100 and a sensor part, which will be described below, are coupled to the upper portion of thehousing110 through screw threads instead of being inserted into the upper portion of thehousing110 at the upper portion, i.e., the inlet, of thehousing110, and thecover30 is coupled through screw threads formed at an outer portion of the passingdevice100.
• That is, because the passingdevice100 and the sensor part are separately disposed and screw-coupled to thehousing110 and thecover30 is coupled through the screw threads formed at the outer portion of the passingdevice100, thehousing110, the passingdevice100, and thecover30 are detachable independently of each other.
• In this case, the passingdevice100 may further include a sealingpart102 configured to seal thehousing110. In this case, the sealingpart102 may be coupled to the passingdevice100 and thecover30 through screw threads, and a sealingprotrusion part103 may be formed to protrude to an outer side of the sealingpart102 and come in surface contact with an inner side of the passingdevice100 so that the sealing performance is further improved.
• In this way, because the passingdevice100 may be coupled to thehousing110 in the form of being added thereon, the passingdevice103 and thecover30 may be manufactured according to the size and shape of thehousing110, and, in this case, the passingdevice103 and thecover30 may be easily coupled to thehousing110 of various shapes and sizes.
• FIG. 18 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense movement of contents according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 18, the passing device that senses discharge ofcontents5 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention includes asensing part500, adisplay part800, astorage part900, a measuringpart1000, and acommunication part1100. The sensing part may also be referred to as “sensor module” herein.
• Thestorage part900 stores information on contents detected by thesensor module500.
• The measuringpart1000 calculates a cumulative discharge amount of contents by period on the basis of the information stored in thestorage part900.
• Thedisplay part800 outputs the information on the contents detected by thesensor module500, the information stored in thestorage part900, or the information measured by the measuringpart1000.
• Thecommunication part1100 transmits the information on the contents detected by thesensor module500, the information stored in thestorage part900, or the information measured by the measuringpart1000 to an external device through wired or wireless communication.
• Thesensor module500 is disposed in a passing operation part and senses contents discharged due to free rotation of one end of a passing movement part.
• The sensor module or sensingpart500 includes asensor part510, atilt sensor530, and asensing control part430. Thesensor part510 is configured to sense whethercontents1 are discharged and includes a transmittingpart460 and a receivingpart470.
• Thetilt sensor530 senses a slope of thehousing1.
• The transmittingpart460 is installed in a passingoperation part120 and emits radio waves toward apassing movement part140 which guides discharge ofcontents5. The radio waves emitted by the transmittingpart460 may be reflected by thepassing movement part140 or may be reflected by or reacted with thecontents5 discharged by thepassing movement part140.
• Here, the transmittingpart460 may be installed at themovement guide part180 of the passingoperation part120 as described above. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and the transmittingpart140 may be installed at various position at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• Further, the transmittingpart460 may be installed at thesupport part440 formed to protrude from themovement guide part180.
• In this case, the penetratingpart450 is formed at themovement guide part180 so that light emitted from the transmittingpart460 can be emitted to thepassing movement part140. Thus, the radio waves emitted through the transmittingpart460 may be reflected by thepassing movement part140 or thecontents5 through the penetratingpart450.
• The receivingpart470 is installed at themovement guide part180 and receives the radio waves reflected by thepassing movement part140 or thecontents5.
• The receivingpart470 may be installed parallel to the transmittingpart460 at a position adjacent to the transmittingpart460. The receivingpart470 is not limited to being installed at themovement guide part180 of the passingoperation part120 as described above and may be installed at various positions at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• Particularly, the receivingpart470 may be installed at thesupport part440 formed to protrude from themovement guide part180.
• Therefore, the radio waves emitted from the transmittingpart460 are reflected by thepassing movement part140 or thecontents5 through the penetratingpart450, and the radio waves reflected by thepassing movement part140 or thecontents5 are received again by the receivingpart470 through the penetratingpart450.
• Thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light and senses thecontents5 discharged through thepassing movement part140 on the basis of the radio waves received by the receivingpart470.
• Because thesensing control part430 controls the transmittingpart460 at every predetermined period to emit radio waves, thesensing control part430 may immediately detect discharge of thecontents5 even when a user discharges thecontents5 at irregular intervals. The predetermined period may be adjusted. The discharge of thecontents5 may be detected more thoroughly as the predetermined period is shortened.
• Thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120 in a state in which thehousing110 is placed so that thecontents5 are not discharged.
• Conversely, when thehousing110 is tilted and thecontents5 are discharged, because thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120, the radio waves emitted by the transmittingpart460 are reflected by thecontents5 and received by the receivingpart470.
• When the radio waves are received by the receivingpart470, thesensing control part430 uses the radio waves received by the receivingpart470 and senses thecontents5.
• Also, when the radio waves reflected by thecontents5 are received by the receivingpart470 and then not received by the receivingpart470 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the radio waves are not received by the receivingpart470 in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the radio waves are not received by the receivingpart470 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope. In this way, a case in which thecontents5 are erroneously determined as having been discharged even when thecontents5 actually have not been discharged due to being jammed in the process of discharging thecontents1 may be prevented.
• Here, the predetermined slope is a slope of thehousing1 at which thecontents5 can be discharged.
• Next, an operational process of the passing device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 19.
• Referring toFIG. 19, first, thesensing control part430 controls the transmittingpart460 and emits radio waves (S100).
• The radio waves emitted by the transmittingpart410 may be reflected by thecontents5 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether the radio waves emitted from the transmittingpart410 are received by the receiving part470 (S110).
• When, as a result of the determination in Operation S110, the radio waves emitted from the transmittingpart460 are determined as having been received by the receivingpart470, and thecontents5 are sensed, thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged through the passing operation part120 (S120).
• Conversely, when the radio waves emitted from the transmittingpart460 are reflected by thecontents5 and not received by the receivingpart470, thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged through the passing operation part120 (S130).
• Meanwhile, in the above process, when the radio waves are received by the receivingpart470 and then not received by the receivingpart470 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the radio waves are not received by the receivingpart470 in the state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within the predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the radio waves are not received by the receivingpart470 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope.
• FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense discharge of contents according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 20, the passing device configured to sense discharge ofcontents5 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention includes asensor module500.
• The sixth embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the above-described embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 12.
• Thesensor module500 includes asensor part510, atilt sensor530, and asensing control part430. Thesensor part510 is configured to sense whethercontents1 are discharged and includes alight emitting part410 and alight receiving part420.
• Thetilt sensor530 senses a slope of thehousing1.
• Thelight emitting part410 is installed at themovement guide part180 of the passingoperation part120 and emits light in the axial direction of themovement member125 disposed in thepassing movement part140 that guides discharge of thecontents5. The light emitted by thelight emitting part410 may be reflected by thecontents5 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged through thepassing movement part140. That is, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 may be reflected by thecontents5 and not received by thelight receiving part420 when thecontents5 are discharged through thepassing movement part140 and may be received by thelight receiving part420 formed at the other side when thecontents5 are not discharged through thepassing movement part140.
• Here, an installation position of thelight emitting part410 is not particularly limited to the above, and thelight emitting part410 may be installed at various positions at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• Particularly, thelight emitting part410 may be installed at thesupport part440 formed to protrude from themovement guide part180.
• In this case, the penetratingpart450 is formed in the passingoperation part120 so that the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 may be emitted to thepassing movement part140. Thus, the light emitted through thelight emitting part410 is reflected by thecontents5 or received by thelight receiving part420 at the other side through the penetratingpart450.
• Thelight receiving part420 is installed at themovement guide part180 at the other side of thelight emitting part410 and receives light emitted from thelight emitting part410.
• Thelight receiving part420 is not limited to being installed at themovement guide part180 as described above and may be installed at various positions at which discharge of thecontents5 can be sensed.
• In this case, the penetratingpart450 is formed in the passingoperation part120 so that the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 may be emitted to thepassing movement part140. Thus, the light emitted through thelight emitting part410 may be received by thelight receiving part420 through the penetratingpart450.
• Therefore, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 may be reflected by thecontents5 or received by thelight receiving part420 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged through the penetratingpart450.
• Thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light and senses thecontents5 discharged through the passingoperation part120 according to whether the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received by thelight receiving part420.
• Because thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light, thesensing control part430 may immediately detect discharge of thecontents5 even when a user discharges thecontents5 at irregular intervals. The predetermined period may be adjusted. The discharge of thecontents5 may be detected more thoroughly as the predetermined period is shortened.
• Here, thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120 in the state in which thehousing110 is placed so that thecontents5 are not discharged.
• Conversely, when thehousing110 is tilted and thecontents5 are discharged, because thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 is partially or entirely blocked by thecontents5, and the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is smaller as compared to when thecontents5 do not pass.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 are being moved by the passingoperation part120 when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 or the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is small and may determine that thecontents5 are not being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when light is received by thelight receiving part420.
• Also, when, after a state in which light is not received by thelight receiving part420 is reached, light is received by thelight receiving part420 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope. In this way, a case in which thecontents5 are erroneously determined as having been discharged even when thecontents5 actually have not been discharged due to being jammed in the process of discharging thecontents1 may be prevented.
• Here, the predetermined slope is a slope of thehousing1 at which thecontents5 can be discharged.
• Also, when, after a state in which light is not received by thelight receiving part420 is reached, light is received by thelight receiving part420 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope. In this way, a case in which thecontents5 are erroneously determined as having been discharged when thecontents5 actually have not been discharged due to being jammed in the process of discharging thecontents1 may be prevented.
• Here, the predetermined slope is a slope of thehousing1 at which thecontents5 can be discharged.
• Next, an operational process of the passing device according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIG. 21.
• First, thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 and emits light (S200).
• The light emitted by thelight emitting part410 may be blocked by thecontents5 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received by the light receiving part420 (S210).
• When, as a result of the determination in Operation S210, the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is determined as not having been received by thelight receiving part420, thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged through the passing operation part120 (S220).
• Conversely, when the light is received by thelight receiving part420, thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged through the passing operation part120 (S230).
• Also, when, after a state in which light is not received by thelight receiving part420 is reached, light is received by thelight receiving part420 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope.
• Meanwhile, in the above process, when, after the state in which light is not received by thelight receiving part420 is reached, light is received by thelight receiving part420 again, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in the state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within the predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when light is not received by thelight receiving part420 in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope.
• FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense discharge of contents according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 22, the passing device configured to sense discharge ofcontents5 according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention includes asensor module500.
• The seventh embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5.
• Thesensor module500 includes asensor part510, atilt sensor530, and asensing control part430. Thesensor part510 is configured to sense whethercontents1 are discharged and includes alight emitting part410 and alight receiving part420.
• Thetilt sensor530 senses a slope of thehousing1.
• Because an installation structure of thelight emitting part410 and thelight receiving part420 is the same as that according to the third embodiment described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• Thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light and senses thecontents5 discharged through the passingoperation part120 according to an amount of change in the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420. Because thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light, thesensing control part430 may immediately detect discharge of thecontents5 even when a user discharges thecontents5 at irregular intervals. The predetermined period may be adjusted. The discharge of thecontents5 may be detected more thoroughly as the predetermined period is shortened.
• Meanwhile, thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120 in the state in which thehousing110 is placed so that thecontents5 are not discharged.
• Conversely, when thehousing110 is tilted and thecontents5 are discharged, because thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120 and, in this case, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 is partially reflected by thecontents5, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 changes.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120 according to the amount of change in the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420.
• That is, thesensing control part430 compares the amount of change in the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 with a predetermined amount of change and, according to a result of the comparison, senses whether thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120. Thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger and determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the amount of change in the quantity of light is less than the predetermined amount of change.
• Here, the predetermined amount of change is an amount of change in the quantity of light from which thecontents5 may be determined as being discharged by the passingoperation part120. That is, when thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120, because light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is not reflected by thecontents5, the amount of change in the quantity of light is very small. Conversely, when thecontents5 are discharged by the passingoperation part120, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is partially or entirely reflected by thecontents5. As a result, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 changes according to discharge of thecontents5. Thus, by presetting the amount of change in the quantity of light from which thecontents5 may be determined as being discharged by the passingoperation part120 as the predetermined amount of change, whether thecontents5 have been discharged through the passingoperation part120 may be accurately determined.
• Also, when, after a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is the predetermined amount of change or larger is reached, the amount of change in the quantity of light returns to a state before changing to be the predetermined amount of change or larger, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the quantity of light becomes a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope. In this way, a case in which thecontents5 are erroneously determined as having been discharged even when thecontents5 actually have not been discharged due to being jammed in the process of discharging thecontents1 may be prevented.
• Here, the predetermined slope is a slope of thehousing1 at which thecontents5 can be discharged.
• An operational process of the passing device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 23.
• Referring toFIG. 23, first, thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 and emits light (S300).
• The light emitted by thelight emitting part410 may be partially or entirely blocked by thecontents5 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120, and, as a result, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 changes according to discharge of thecontents5.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received by the light receiving part420 (S310), and, when, as a result of the determination, the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is determined as having been received by thelight receiving part420, thesensing control part430 checks the quantity of light received by the light receiving part420 (S320).
• As the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is checked, thesensing control part430 compares the quantity of light with a predetermined amount of change and determines whether the quantity of light is equal to or larger than the predetermined amount of change (S330).
• Thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when, as a result of the determination in Operation S330, the quantity of light is determined as being the predetermined amount of change or larger (S340) and determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the quantity of light is less than the predetermined amount of change (S350).
• Meanwhile, in the above process, when, after a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is the predetermined amount of change or larger is reached, the quantity of light reaches the state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within the predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state in which the amount of change in the quantity of light is the predetermined amount of change or larger in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope.
• FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a passing device configured to sense discharge of contents according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the passing device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 24, the passing device configured to sense discharge of thecontents5 according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention includes asensor module500.
• The eighth embodiment of the present invention may be applied to the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5.
• Thesensor module500 includes asensor part510, atilt sensor530, and asensing control part430. Thesensor part510 is configured to sense whethercontents1 are discharged and includes alight emitting part410 and alight receiving part420.
• Thetilt sensor530 senses a slope of thehousing1.
• Because an installation structure of thelight emitting part410 and thelight receiving part420 is the same as that according to the third embodiment described above, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• Thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light and senses thecontents5 discharged through the passingoperation part120 according to the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420.
• Because thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 at every predetermined period to emit light, thesensing control part430 may immediately detect discharge of thecontents5 even when a user discharges thecontents5 at irregular intervals. The predetermined period may be adjusted. The discharge of thecontents5 may be detected more thoroughly as the predetermined period is shortened.
• Meanwhile, thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120 in the state in which the housing is placed so that thecontents5 are not discharged.
• Conversely, when the housing is tilted and thecontents5 are discharged, because thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120 and, in this case, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 is partially reflected by thecontents5, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is reduced.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120 according to quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420.
• That is, thesensing control part430 compares the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 with a predetermined quantity of light and, according to a result of the comparison, senses whether thecontents5 are discharged through the passingoperation part120. Thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the quantity of light is less than or equal to the predetermined quantity of light and determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the quantity of light exceeds the predetermined quantity of light.
• Here, the predetermined quantity of light is a quantity of light from which thecontents5 may be determined as being discharged by the passingoperation part120. That is, when thecontents5 are not discharged by the passingoperation part120, because light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is not reflected by thecontents5, the quantity of light is very large. Conversely, when thecontents5 are discharged by the passingoperation part120, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is partially or entirely reflected by thecontents5, and, as a result, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is reduced as compared with before thecontents5 are discharged. Thus, by presetting the quantity of light from which thecontents5 may be determined as being discharged by the passingoperation part120 as the predetermined quantity of light, whether thecontents5 have been discharged through the passingoperation part120 may be accurately determined.
• Also, when, after a state in which the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is the predetermined quantity of light or larger is reached, the quantity of light reaches a state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light in a state in which a slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within a predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope. In this way, a case in which thecontents5 are erroneously determined as having been discharged even when thecontents5 actually have not been discharged due to being jammed in the process of discharging thecontents1 may be prevented.
• Here, the predetermined slope is a slope of thehousing1 at which thecontents5 can be discharged.
• FIG. 25 is a view illustrating changes in the quantity of light when a relatively small, flat pill passes a sensor portion and is discharged to the outside due to tilting of a container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 26 is a view illustrating changes in the quantity of light when a relatively large, long pill passes the sensor portion and is discharged to the outside due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 27 is a view illustrating changes in the quantity of light in a case in which a relatively small, flat pill is stuck at a container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.FIG. 28 is a view illustrating changes in the quantity of light in a case in which a relatively large, long pill is stuck at the container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.
• FIG. 25 illustrates a change in the quantity of light in the case in which a relatively small, flat pill is discharged.FIG. 36A illustrates a change in the quantity of light when a relatively small, flat pill is discharged, andFIG. 36B illustrates the change in the quantity of light with the horizontal axis zoomed in. It can be seen that, when light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected by thelight receiving part420, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is reflected by the pill, thelight receiving part420 receives a relatively small quantity of light. For reference,FIG. 36 shows results of sampling fifty times per second when the pill is discharged. Here, the horizontal axis represents a sampling time (time interval, 1=20 msec), and the vertical axis represents a sampling value.
• A pill discharge sensing principle is as follows. Thelight emitting part410 emits light, and thelight receiving part420 detects an amount of passed light using a light detection element. An analog value detected by thelight receiving part420 may be converted using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to obtain a sampling value, and whether a pill passes may be detected using the sampling value.FIG. 36 is a graph showing results of sampling fifty times per second when a relatively small, flat pill is discharged.
• FIG. 26 illustrates a change in the quantity of light in the case in which a relatively large, long pill is discharged.FIG. 26A illustrates a change in the quantity of light when a relatively large, long pill is discharged, andFIG. 26B illustrates the change in the quantity of light with the horizontal axis zoomed in. It can be seen that, when light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected by thelight receiving part420, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is reflected by the pill, thelight receiving part420 receives a relatively small quantity of light. For reference,FIG. 26 shows results of sampling fifty times per second when the pill is discharged. Here, the horizontal axis represents a sampling time (time interval, 1=20 msec), and the vertical axis represents a sampling value.
• A pill discharge sensing principle is as follows. Thelight emitting part410 emits light, and thelight receiving part420 detects an amount of passed light using a light detection element. An analog value detected by thelight receiving part420 may be converted using an ADC to obtain a sampling value, and whether a pill passes may be detected using the sampling value.FIG. 36 is a graph showing results of sampling fifty times per second when a relatively small, flat pill is discharged.
• FIG. 27 illustrates a change in the quantity of light in the case in which a relatively small, flat pill is stuck at a container inlet and then re-discharged. That is,FIG. 27 relates to the case in which a relatively small, flat pill is stuck at a container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.
• Referring toFIG. 27, in a state in which the relatively small, flat pill is stuck at the container inlet, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected in a relatively small quantity by thelight receiving part410, and such a state continues. Then, when a user makes thehousing110 stand upright, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received as it is by thelight receiving part420, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is relatively increased again.
• The horizontal axis represents a sampling time (time interval, 1=20 msec), and the vertical axis represents a sampling value. The case in which the pill re-enters is checked using a value of a motion sensor (using a z-axis value).
• In this case, in the state in which the relatively small, flat pill is stuck at the container inlet, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected in a relatively small quantity by thelight receiving part410, and such a state continues for a predetermined amount of time, on the basis of this, it can be recognized that the pill is stuck in the passingdevice100 in the process of being discharged.
• Meanwhile, when the user tilts thehousing110 again to discharge the pill, and thus the pill is discharged, as illustrated inFIG. 25, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 is reflected by the pill, and thelight receiving part420 receives a relatively small quantity of light.
• FIG. 28 illustrates a change in the quantity of light in the case in which a relatively large, long pill is stuck at a container inlet and then re-discharged. That is,FIG. 28 relates to the case in which a relatively large, long pill is stuck at a container inlet passing device due to the tilting of the container and then re-enters the container due to making the container stand upright again.
• Referring toFIG. 28, in a state in which the relatively large, long pill is stuck at the container inlet, light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected in a relatively small quantity by thelight receiving part410, and such a state continues.
• Then, when a user makes thehousing110 stand upright, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received as it is by thelight receiving part420, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is relatively increased again.
• In this case, in the state in which the relatively large, long pill is stuck at the container inlet, because the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is detected in a relatively small quantity by thelight receiving part410, and such a state continues for a predetermined amount of time, on the basis of this, it can be recognized that the pill is stuck in the passingdevice100 in the process of being discharged.
• Meanwhile, when the user tilts thehousing110 again to discharge the pill, and thus the pill is discharged, as illustrated inFIG. 37, the light emitted by thelight emitting part410 is reflected by the pill, and thelight receiving part420 receives a relatively small quantity of light.
• The horizontal axis represents a sampling time (time interval, 1=20 msec), and the vertical axis represents a sampling value. The case in which the pill re-enters is checked using a value of a motion sensor (using a z-axis value).
• An operational process of the passing device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 29.
• Referring toFIG. 29, first, thesensing control part430 controls thelight emitting part410 and emits light (S400).
• The light emitted by thelight emitting part410 may be partially or entirely blocked by thecontents5 according to whether thecontents5 are discharged by the passingoperation part120, and, as a result, the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is reduced according to discharge of thecontents5.
• Thus, thesensing control part430 determines whether the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is received by the light receiving part420 (S410), and, when, as a result of the determination, the light emitted from thelight emitting part410 is determined as having been received by thelight receiving part420, thesensing control part430 determines whether the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is less than or equal to the predetermined quantity of light (S420).
• Thesensing control part430 determines that thecontents5 are being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when, as a result of the determination in Operation S420, the quantity of light is determined as being less than or equal to the predetermined quantity of light (S430) and determines that thecontents5 are not being discharged by the passingoperation part120 when the quantity of light exceeds the predetermined quantity of light (S440).
• Meanwhile, in the above process, when, after a state in which the quantity of light received by thelight receiving part420 is the predetermined quantity of light or larger is reached, the quantity of light reaches the state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged by the passingoperation part120.
• Further, thesensing control part430 may determine that thecontents5 have been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is within the predetermined slope and may determine that thecontents5 have not been discharged when the quantity of light reaches a state of being less than the predetermined quantity of light in a state in which the slope of thehousing1 sensed by thetilt sensor530 is beyond the predetermined slope.
• For reference, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above. The sensor part configured to determine whether the contents pass through the passing device may further include a distance sensor, a speed sensor, a magnetic sensor, a vision sensor, an acceleration sensor, an angular velocity sensor, a rotation sensor, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a temperature sensor, a touch sensor, an inclination sensor, a load sensor, a pressure sensor, a tension sensor, and a vibration sensor.
• Also, thesensor part510 may have a transmission/reception medium of the transmittingpart460 and the receivingpart470 arranged at one side or both sides so that passage of thecontents5 is sensed without an apparatus coming into contact with thepassing movement part140, which is moving, or may come into contact with thepassing movement part140 and sense physical rotation operation of thepassing movement part140 in order to sense whether the passing device rotates or moves.
• Further, when thetilt sensor530 reaches a predetermined slope or more, thesensing control part430 may control thesensor part510 and minimize power consumption required to sense discharge of thecontents5.
• FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a medication management device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 31 is a block diagram of a medication guidance terminal of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 32 is a block diagram of the medication guidance terminal according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating an operational process of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 34 is a perspective view of a housing having the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 35 illustrates a communication system of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 36 is an operational view of communication of the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 30 to 36, the medication management device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention includes asensor module500, amedication guidance terminal600, and amedication management server700.
• Thesensor module500senses contents5 discharged by a passingoperation part120. Because a method of sensing discharge of thecontents5 by thesensor module500 is the same as that according to the embodiments described above, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
• Meanwhile, asensing control part430 of thesensor module500 senses thecontents5, generates medication state information according to a result of the sensing, and transmits the generated medication state information to themedication guidance terminal600.
• Thesensing control part430 generates the medication state information on the basis of the result of sensing thecontents5 and transmits the generated medication state information to themedication guidance terminal600.
• The medication state information includes information on thecontents5, whether thecontents5 are sensed, and information on a sensing time at which thecontents5 are sensed. The information on thecontents5 may be preset by thesensing control part430 or the like, and whether thecontents5 are sensed and the sensing time may be detected in real time according to whether thecontents5 are detected by thesensor part510.
• Referring toFIG. 31, themedication guidance terminal600 receives the medication state information from thesensor module500, receives medication schedule information from themedication management server700, generates medication management information using the medication schedule information and the medication state information, and then outputs the generated medication management information.
• The medication schedule information includes one or more of information on thecontents5, a medication time, a medication interval, and a medication dose of eachcontent5. The medication schedule information may be generated by themedication management server700 on the basis of a prescription made up by a doctor or a pharmacist.
• Here, a smart terminal, a computer, a laptop, a fixed terminal, a personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like may be employed as themedication guidance terminal600. A medication device or the like may be employed as the fixed terminal.
• Themedication guidance terminal600 includes aninput part610, anoutput part620, and a medication guidanceterminal control part630.
• Theinput part610 receives various pieces of information and control commands from a user. The pieces of information and control commands input through theinput part610 may include any information and control command related to usage, operations, and settings of themedication guidance terminal600, such as user information, an application execution command, and a menu settings command. A mechanical button, a touchscreen, or the like may be employed as theinput part610.
• Theoutput part620 outputs various pieces of information in response to control signals from the medication guidanceterminal control part630. The various pieces of information may include medication state information, medication schedule information, medication management information, and the like. Also, theoutput part620 warns, by an image or sound, of incorrectly taking thecontents5.
• Theoutput part620 includes both an image output part and a sound output part that respectively output the information or warning using an image and sound.
• The medication guidanceterminal control part630 receives medication state information from thesensor module500, receives medication schedule information from themedication management server700, generates medication management information related to a user by using the medication schedule information and the medication state information, and outputs the generated medication management information through theoutput part620.
• That is, when the medication guidanceterminal control part630 receives the medication state information from thesensor module500 and receives the medication schedule information from themedication management server700, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 compares the medication state information and the medication schedule information, generates the medication management information according to a result of the comparison, and outputs the generated medication management information. In this case, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 may warn, through theoutput part620, of incorrectly taking the contents.
• In the present embodiment, incorrectly taking the contents includes any circumstances in which thecontents5 are not taken or thecontents5 are not taken according to a prescription, such as not taking thecontents5 by a prescribed amount, not taking thecontents5 at a prescribed medication time, and not taking thecontents5.
• Meanwhile, the medication state information includes information on thecontents5, whethercontents5 are sensed, and information on a sensing time at which thecontents5 are sensed, and the medication schedule information includes information on thecontents5, a medication time, a medication interval, and a medication dose of eachcontent5. The medication guidanceterminal control part630 compares and analyzes the pieces of information, checks whether the user incorrectly takes thecontents5, generates medication management information for managing thecontents5 to be accurately taken, and outputs the generated medication management information.
• For example, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 may output text or sound that guides the user to take thecontents5 at a prescribed medication time when the user does not take thecontents5 at the medication time and may output text or sound that guides the user to take thecontents5 by a prescribed amount when the user does not take thecontents5 by the prescribed amount.
• Also, when, as described above, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 receives the medication schedule information from themedication management server700, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 outputs one or more of the information on thecontents5 and the medication dose of eachcontent5 via theoutput part620 according to one or more of the medication time and the medication interval.
• That is, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 checks the medication time or the medication interval and, when the medication time at which the user should take thecontents5 comes, outputs information on thecontents5 that should be taken and the medication dose of thecorresponding contents5 through theoutput part620 so that the user takes thecorresponding contents5 by a fixed amount at an accurate time.
• Further, when, as described above, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 receives the medication state information from thesensor module500, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 accumulates and stores the medication state information and generates medication history information by using the medication state information. The medication history information includes a date and time of mediation, thecontents5 taken and a dose thereof, and the like.
• Then, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 outputs the medication history information, e.g., a date and time of mediation, thecontents5 taken and a dose thereof, and the like, according to a control command input through theinput part610.
• Therefore, the user may easily recognize, in chronological order, his or her past medication time,contents5 taken and dose thereof, and the like.
• Themedication management server700 collects prescription information from a terminal of a doctor or a pharmacist, generates medication schedule information using the collected prescription information, and then transmits the generated medication schedule information to themedication guidance terminal600.
• Themedication management server700 includes a prescriptioninformation collecting part710, a medication scheduleinformation generating part720, and acontrol server730.
• The prescriptioninformation collecting part710 collects prescription information for each user from a terminal of a doctor or a pharmacist.
• The medication scheduleinformation generating part720 uses the prescription information collected by the prescriptioninformation collecting part710 and generates and updates medication schedule information for each user.
• Thecontrol server730 controls the prescriptioninformation collecting part710 and collects the prescription information from a terminal (not illustrated) of a doctor or a pharmacist. Then, thecontrol server730 controls the medication scheduleinformation generating part720 and generates medication schedule information.
• When the medication schedule information is generated as above, thecontrol server730 detects user information of a corresponding user and transmits medication schedule information to themedication guidance terminal600 of the corresponding user on the basis of the user information, e.g., contact information.
• Hereinafter, a medication management method according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 32 and 33.
• Referring toFIG. 32, first, thecontrol server730 of themedication management server700 uses the prescription collecting part and collects prescription information for each user from a terminal of a doctor or a pharmacist.
• When the prescription information is collected, thecontrol server730 controls the medication scheduleinformation generating part720 to generate medication schedule information using the prescription information, and, when the medication schedule information is generated by the medication scheduleinformation generating part720, thecontrol server730 stores the generated medication schedule information of a user (S510).
• Further, as the medication schedule information is generated, thecontrol server730 detects user information of the corresponding user and transmits the medication schedule information to themedication guidance terminal600 of the corresponding user by using contact information of the user information (S520).
• When the medication schedule information is transmitted, themedication guidance terminal600 stores the corresponding medication schedule information (S530) and performs a medication management process related to the user by using the medication state information received from thesensor module500 and the medication schedule information (S540).
• Referring toFIG. 33, first, upon receiving medication schedule information from themedication management server700, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 of themedication guidance terminal600 stores the medication schedule information.
• Then, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 checks a medication time of the medication schedule information (S610) and determines whether the current time coincides with the medication time.
• When, as a result of the determination, the current time coincides with the medication time, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 outputs medication guidance information, e.g., one or more of information on thecontents5 and a medication dose of eachcontent5, through theoutput part620 according to the medication time (S620).
• Accordingly, the user recognizes that the medication time has come and takes thecontents5 by referring to the information on thecontents5 and the medication dose of each content.
• In this case, the user tilts acontents moving apparatus1 to discharge the contents, and because of this, thecontents5 are discharged by a passingoperation part120.
• In this case, thesensing control part430 determines, using thesensor part510, whether thecontents5 are discharged.
• In this way, thesensing control part430 generates medication state information on the basis of whether thecontents5 are discharged and transmits the generated medication state information to themedication guidance terminal600.
• Meanwhile, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 continuously collects the medication state information transmitted from the sensing control part430 (S630), generates medication management information related to a user by using the medication state information and the medication schedule information received from themedication management server700, and outputs the generated medication management information through theoutput part620.
• That is, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 compares the medication state information with the medication schedule information and generates and outputs the medication management information according to a result of the comparison. The medication guidanceterminal control part630 checks whether the user incorrectly takes thecontents5, e.g., does not take thecontents5 by a prescribed amount, does not take thecontents5 at a prescribed medication time, or does not take thecontents5, and outputs a result of the checking (S640, S650).
• Further, when, as described above, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 receives the medication state information from a sensor terminal, the medication guidanceterminal control part630 accumulates and stores the medication state information and generates medication history information using the medication state information.
• Meanwhile, thesensor module500 may further include adisplay part800 so that data sensed or measured or whether the contents passed through the passingoperation part120 by operation of the contents passing means123 may be recognized using one or more senses such as visual sense, auditory sense, and sense of touch of a user. Thedisplay part800 may display one or more of numbers, text, symbols, braille, emitted light, turned-on light, and colors.
• Meanwhile, thesensing control part430 may output text or sound that guides a user to take thecontents5 at a prescribed medication time when the user does not take thecontents5 at the medication time and may output text or sound that guides the user to take thecontents5 by a prescribed amount when the user does not take thecontents5 by the prescribed amount.
• Thesensing control part430 may detect one or more of the number of passed contents, and a date, day, and time at which the contents are passed.
• That is, as illustrated inFIG. 45, thesensing control part430 displays data sensed or measured or whether the contents passed through the passingoperation part120 by operation of the contents passing means123 on thedisplay part800 so that the data sensed or measured or whether the contents passed through the passingoperation part120 by operation of the contents passing means123 can be recognized using one or more senses such as visual sense, auditory sense, and sense of touch of the user. Thedisplay part800 may display one or more of numbers, text, symbols, braille, emitted light, turned-on light, and colors.
• Meanwhile, upon sensing that a prescribed amount of contents passes through the contents passing means123 during a predetermined period or time or sensing that contents exceeding the prescribed amount pass through the contents passing means123, thesensing control part430 may limit contents moving operation of the contents passing means123.
• Thesensor module500 configured to sense passage of contents when the contents pass through the contents passing means123 may be included, whether the contents passed or the number of contents passed that is sensed by thesensor module500 may be determined, and whether the contents passed or the number of contents passed determined above, or one or more data of a date, day, and time of the passage of the contents in addition to the whether the contents passed or the number of contents passed determined above may be displayed on thedisplay part800. Thedisplay part800 may display one or more of numbers, text, symbols, and signals using a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a light emitting diode (LED).
• Thesensing control part430 may include a communication part configured to transmit the data sensed or measured. Thesensing control part500 may determine whether the contents passed or the number of the contents passed, which have been sensed, and transmit whether the contents passed or the number of contents passed determined above or transmit one or more data of a date, day, and time of the passage of the contents in addition to the whether the contents passed or the number of contents passed determined above, in proximity or remotely through the communication part.
• Also, thesensing control part430 may include a locking part configured to prevent passage of more contents through the passing device when thesensing control part430 senses contents passed through the contents passing means123 and it is determined that a designated amount of contents has passed. The locking part is disposed in the passing device to prevent movement of the contents passing means123 or block a movement path of the contents in the passingoperation part120.
• In this case, the prevention of the movement of the contents passing means123 may be performed by contact resistance with a movement portion of the contents passing means, and the blocking of the movement path in the passingoperation part120 may be performed by blocking or resisting contents by a passing passage part disposed at a passing entry side and a passing discharge side of the contents. When regulation is required in cases of a drug that requires to be taken in a limited dose by patients or a food that requires restricted intake of normal people, the locking part may maintain a locked state at a designated time or before a situation ends.
• Also, one or more of numbers, text, and symbols may be marked on a surface of the contents or inside the contents so that the marks on the contents that passed through the contents passing means123 or the contents that did not pass through the contents passing means123 may be observed.
• FIG. 35 is a data flowchart of a medication data management system according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. 1) when a user takes a prescription drug using a fixed-amount discharging smart drug dispenser, a patient who takes the drug passes only a fixed amount of contents in a container just by tilting the drug container and discharges medicine or health supplement in the form of a pill one at a time so that it is convenient, sanitary, and spoilage of contents is prevented; 2) as sensing data can be collected by a drug discharge sensor attached to a dispenser, a drug dispenser for systematic medication management of a patient is developed by attaching a sensor configured to check discharge of drugs to the dispenser; 3) sensed data is firstly collected through a smartphone, a computer, and the like of a user on the basis of a communication module; 4) first information is processed into second information using data and an application program server and provided to a person concerned; and 5) the medication information data is analyzed by a related organization, and then medication instructions are sent to a user. A remote medication management system that utilizes the above may be constructed.
• Particularly, a drug discharge check sensor may be attached for medication management. The drug discharge check sensor for checking a medication state, which is an obligation of a patient, and a communication device using Bluetooth or the like may be attached. Also, for cost reduction and efficiency of manufacturing, an integrated type sensor and an integrated type communication device may be designed and applied.
• To maximize a therapeutic effect for a disease, in addition to medical staff (doctors and pharmacists), who are the subject of medical treatment, patients, who are medical service users, should also actively fulfill their obligations related to the medical treatment. This is possible through the remote medication management system as in the present embodiment.
• Data collected by a sensor attached to a drug dispenser may be firstly collected using a smartphone or a specialized device using a one-board computer by using a communication module. The firstly collected information may be transmitted to a server, and second information collected by the server may be processed and provided to doctors, pharmacists, National Health Insurance Service, and the like.
• The smartphone or the specialized device may notify a patient of medication obligations, continuously notify the patient of a medication time and a medication dose, and may continuously send out warnings when the patient does not take the drug. The specialized device using a one-board computer (e.g., Raspberry Pi) with built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi may be configured for elderly patients who cannot use smartphones.
• FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating application of medication data management technology according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
• As in m1, a smart drug dispenser to which a drug discharge device is attached includes a discharger, a sensor, and a Bluetooth communication module. m1 may communicate with m2-1 (mobile device: smartphone) or m2-2 (fixed device: one-board computer) through c1 (Bluetooth communication). Also, m2-1 and m2-2 may communicate with m3 (server) through c2 (network).
• m3 communicates with Ex1 (related organization server) through c3 (connected by open-api or EAI). Here, a discharge amount is transmitted and an error or confirmation signal is transmitted through c1. Through c2, m2 transmits a discharge amount to m3, and m3 transmits medication management content to m2. Through c3, m3 may transmit discharge amount statistics to Ext, and Ext may transmit medication management content to m3. The c3 communication is connected by open api or EAI, which is a different-type DB connection protocol.
• FIG. 37 is a block diagram of a medication management device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a substrate according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention,FIGS. 41 to 43 are views illustrating a contents discharging process of the dispenser according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, anFIG. 55 is a block diagram of a management terminal according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
• Referring toFIG. 37, the medication management device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes acontainer11, adispenser20, amanagement terminal30, and amanagement server40.
• Ahousing10 holdscontents50 and includes thecontainer11 and acover12.
• Thecontents50 are in the form of solid, powder, or liquid that can pass.
• Thecontainer11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with an open upper portion and holds thecontainer11 therein. Thedispenser20 is installed at the upper portion of thecontainer11. Thedispenser20 allows thecontents5 inside thecontainer11 to be discharged by a predetermined fixed amount at a time. This will be described in detail below.
• Thecover12 is installed at an upper end portion of thecontainer11 and protects thedispenser20.
• Thedispenser20 is installed in thecontainer11 and manages discharge of thecontents50 inside thecontainer11.
• Thedispenser20 is installed in thecontainer11 and causes thecontents50 inside thecontainer11 to be discharged only by the predetermined amount at a predetermined medication time so that a user is guided to take thecontents50 by a fixed amount at a fixed medication time.
• The amount of thecontents50 discharged by thedispenser20 may be set to various amounts according to characteristics of thecontents50. When thecontents50 are in a solid form, only asingle content50 may be set to be discharged per each operation.
• Thedispenser20 generates medication information by sensing whether thecontents50 are actually discharged while discharging thecontents50 to the outside and transmits the medication information to themanagement terminal30 or themanagement server40. Thedispenser20 manages, on the basis of the medication information, whether the user takes thecontents50 according to medication schedule information. In this case, thedispenser20 outputs medication guidance information according to an operation scenario set for allowing the user to take thecontents50 by a fixed amount at a fixed time.
• Referring toFIG. 38, thedispenser20 includes a passingpart21, asensor part22, a blockingpart23, amedication control part24, adispenser output part25, and adehumidifying part26.
• The passingpart21 is installed in thecontainer11 of thehousing10 and causes thecontents50 to be discharged to the outside of thecontainer11 only by a predetermined amount. That is, the passingpart21 serves to lead movement of thecontents50 by a fixed amount or a demand amount. Here, “fixed amount” refers to the same number or amount or the amount or number varying within an error range. “Demand amount” is an amount (number) required by a user and belongs to the category of “fixed amount.”
• As illustrated inFIG. 50, the passingpart21 is installed on asubstrate27. Thesubstrate27 is disposed between thecover12 and anothercover12 which will be described below.
• The passingpart21 includes avalve part211 and asupport part212.
• Thesupport part212 supports thevalve part211. Thesupport part212 is formed to correspond to an inner circumferential surface of the upper end portion of thecontainer11, and thesupport part212 includes aseating part212aformed to support the passingpart21.
• Theseating part212ais formed at thesupport part212 so as to be rounded and supports thevalve part211. Amovement member211aof thevalve part211, which will be described below, is seated on theseating part212aand rotates within a predetermined angle range.
• Thevalve part211 is disposed at an inner side of thecontainer11, guides movement of thecontents50, and allows thecontents50 to be discharged only by a predetermined amount.
• Thevalve part211 includes themovement member211a, an openingmember211b, a blockingmember211d, and aguide part215.
• Amovement control member211crotates the openingmember211band the blockingmember211dby the self-weight. Themovement member211ais formed at both side end portions of themovement control member211c. Themovement member211ais installed at theseating part212aand rotates counterclockwise due to the self-weight, and thus the openingmember211band the blockingmember211drotate.
• The openingmember211bis formed to protrude in the shape of a plate from themovement control member211c. The openingmember211bmay be linearly bent or formed as a curved surface. The openingmember211bblocks discharge of thecontents50 to the outside.
• However, when thecontainer11 is tilted to the extent that thecontents50 therein may be discharged to the outside, themovement control member211crotates due to its self-weight, and, in this case, the openingmember211balso rotates and is opened such that thecontents50 in anopening214 are discharged to the outside.
• The blockingmember211dis linearly bent or formed as a curved surface and blocks at least a portion of theopening214 so as to prevent thecontents50 beyond a fixed amount from being introduced into theopening214.
• That is, when thecontainer11 rotates, due to the blockingmember211d, the fixed amount ofcontents50 is located in theopening214 formed in the openingmember211band the blockingmember211d, and then, when thecontainer11 continues to rotate, the openingmember211balso rotates and thus theopening214 is opened such that thecontents50 in theopening214 are discharged to the outside.
• Theguide part215 guides thecontents50 to be introduced into theopening214. The shape of theguide part215 is not particularly limited, and theguide part215 may be formed in various shapes and structures that allow thecontents50 to be introduced into theopening214.
• That is, in a state in which thecontainer11 stands upright as illustrated inFIG. 40, the blockingmember211dblocks thecontents50.
• However, when thecontainer11 is tilted to the extent that thecontents50 therein may be discharged to the outside, as illustrated inFIG. 56, thecontents50 are guided along theguide part215, and, in this case, themovement control member211crotates due to its self-weight such that thecontents50 are located in theopening214 through theguide part215. In this case, asother contents50 are blocked by the blockingmember211d, only the fixed amount ofcontents50 is located in theopening214.
• Then, when thecontainer11 is completely tilted such that thecontents50 may be completely discharged, themovement control member211cis also tilted further. In this case, theopening214 is opened to the outside by the openingmember211b, and thus thecontents50 located in theopening214 are discharged to the outside as illustrated inFIG. 43.
• Meanwhile, because the blockingmember211dis formed to be bent as described above, subsequently-introducedcontents50 are blocked.
• As a result, even when thecontainer11 is tilted at an angle at which thecontents50 therein may be discharged, only asingle content50, i.e., the fixed amount ofcontents50, is discharged to the outside. Then, when thecontainer11 is made to stand upright, thecontents50 therein fall down due to the self-weight. In this case, due to the self-weight of themovement control member211c, the openingmember211balso rotates such that theopening214 is closed.
• As illustrated inFIG. 49, thesensor part22 is installed on thesubstrate27 and senses thecontents50 actually passing through the passingpart21.
• For example, thesensor part22 may sense thecontents50 using light, radio waves, or the like. Thesensor part22 may use any other things that allow thecontents50 to be sensed.
• The blockingpart23 blocks operation of the passingpart211 on the basis of a passing time of thecontents50 passing through the passingpart21.
• For example, when thecontainer11 is tilted to an angle at which thecontents50 may be discharged before a medication interval elapses from the time thecontents50 previously passed, or when thecontainer11 is tilted to an angle at which thecontents50 may be discharged before a predetermined medication time comes, the blockingpart23 blocks operation of the passingpart21.
• A hinge or a pivot that blocks rotation of thevalve part211 may be employed as the blockingpart23, or a locking member (not illustrated) that blocks rotation of the openingmember211bor the blockingmember211dmay be employed as the blockingpart23. The locking member may be operated by driving of a motor, an electromagnet, or the like.
• Here, the blockingpart23 may include a tilt sensor therein configured to sense a slope of thecontainer11. When the slope of thecontainer11 sensed by the tilt sensor becomes equal to or larger than an angle at which thecontents50 may be discharged, the blockingpart23 may block operation of the passingpart21.
• By the blockingpart23 adjusting a medication interval as described above, a user is guided to take a fixed amount of drug or take drug at a fixed time, and the user is prevented from taking an overdose of drug or being addicted to the drug.
• Thedehumidifying part26 is installed inside thecontainer11 and removes moisture from inside thecontainer11. Thedehumidifying part26 may be installed inside thecontainer11 using a clip (not illustrated).
• Thedispenser output part25 outputs medication guidance information for guiding a user to take drug at a fixed time and take drug by a fixed amount. The medication guidance information may include a medication time and a medication dose.
• That is, thedispenser output part25 outputs medication guidance information according to an operation scenario preset for allowing the user to take drug by a fixed amount at a fixed time. When the current time matches a medication time, thedispenser output part25 informs the user, by an image or sound, of the fact that the medication time has come.
• An LED or a display device may be employed as thedispenser output part25.
• When thedispenser output part25 is an LED, the LED blinks green when the medication time comes and blinks red when thecontents50 are not sensed by thesensor part22 even after the medication time. Then, when thecontents50 are sensed by thesensor part22, the LED blinks one time or a plurality of times and then is turned off. On the other hand, thedispenser output part25 may also adjust a blinking interval to inform of the fact that the medication time has come.
• When thedispenser output part25 is a display device, the display device may output an image, text, or the like to inform of the fact that the medication time has come.
• Further, thedispenser output part25 may also output an amount ofcontents50 remaining inside thecontainer11.
• Thedispenser output part25 is may be installed at an outer side surface of thecontainer11 and allow the user to easily recognize medication guidance information.
• Themedication control part24 generates sensing information on the basis of whether thecontents50 are sensed by thesensor part22 and manages medication of the user on the basis of the generated sensing information.
• First, themedication control part24 pre-stores medication schedule information including a user name, a medication time, a number of medications, and the like and manages to allow the user to abide by the medication time and the number of medications according to the medication schedule information.
• When thecontents50 are sensed by thesensor part22, themedication control part24 accumulates and stores a sensing time at which thecontents50 are sensed and a number of times of sensing thecontents50 and generates medication information on the basis of the sensing time and the number of times of sensing. The medication information may include a medication time and a number of medications.
• When the medication information is generated as described above, themedication control part24 transmits the medication information to themanagement terminal30 or themanagement server40 through a communication network. When transmitting the medication time and the number of medications to themanagement terminal30 or themanagement server40, communication between themedication control part24 and themanagement terminal30 or communication between themedication control part24 and themanagement server40 may not be performed normally. Thus, themedication control part24 may also transmit a plurality pieces of medication information at once. In this way, themedication control part24 may transmit medication information in real time and may also transmit a plurality of pieces of medication information at once according to a communication state or the like.
• Various communication networks such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, wireless internet, and long term evolution (LTE) may be employed as the communication network.
• Themedication control part24 controls thedispenser output part25 and outputs medication guidance information for guiding a user to take a fixed amount of drug at a fixed time.
• That is, themedication control part24 outputs medication guidance information according to an operation scenario preset for allowing the user to take drug by a fixed amount at a fixed time. When the current time matches a medication time, themedication control part24 controls thedispenser output part25 and informs the user, by an image or sound, of the fact that the medication time has come. Themedication control part24 may also output an amount ofcontents50 remaining inside thecontainer11.
• Further, when the blockingpart23 operates as described above, themedication control part24 transmits, to a carer' s terminal (not illustrated), the fact that there has been an abnormal attempt to take drug or controls the blockingpart23 according to the medication schedule information so that drug may be taken according to the medication schedule information. That is, when the current time is included in medication times, themedication control part24 may release the blockingpart23 and allow the user to take drug, and, when the current time is not included in the medication times, themedication control part24 may control the corresponding blockingpart23 and block operation of thevalve part211 to prevent the user from taking the drug. In this way, themedication control part24 allows the user to take the drug correctly.
• Themanagement terminal30 generates medication information on the basis of whether thecontents50 are discharged according to operation of thedispenser20 and transmits the generated medication information to themanagement server40.
• Themanagement terminal30 includes aterminal output part32, a medication managementinformation generating part31, and aterminal control part33.
• Theterminal output part32 outputs medication management information.
• The medication managementinformation generating part31 analyzes the medication information of the passingpart21 and generates the medication management information. That is, the medication managementinformation generating part31 compares the medication information of the passingpart21 with preset medication schedule information and generates medication guidance information. The medication managementinformation generating part31 may compare operation information of the passingpart21 with the pre-stored medication schedule information and generate the medication management information according to whether the operation information of the passingpart21 matches the medication schedule information.
• The medication guidance information is information that guides the user to take drug by a fixed amount at a fixed time.
• When medication information is transmitted from thedispenser20, theterminal control part33 generates medication management information using the medication information through the medication managementinformation generating part31 and outputs the generated medication management information through theterminal output part32. Accordingly, the user may recognize the medication management information and take drug according to the preset medication schedule information.
• Also, when the medication management information is generated using the medication information, theterminal control part33 controls thedispenser20 according to the medication management information, and thedispenser20 guides the user to take drug according to the corresponding control command.
• For example, when a preset medication time comes, theterminal control part33 controls thedispenser20 and limits operation of the blockingpart23, and, when the current time does not match the preset medication time, theterminal control part33 controls thedispenser20 and blocks operation of the passingpart21 through the blockingpart23 to prevent incorrect medication.
• Further, theterminal control part33 transmits the medication management information to themanagement server40, and themanagement server40 allows the corresponding medication information to be used in various fields.
• Here, a smart terminal or the like of a user may be employed as themanagement terminal30, but any other separate repeater having a repeating function may also be employed.
• Themanagement server40 collects medication information of thedispenser20 from at least one of thedispenser20 and themanagement terminal30 and processes the collected medication information so that the medication information is used in public welfare elderly care, clinical trials, a comparison between a supply amount and a medication dose, inventory management of pharmaceutical companies, inventory management of distributors, a doctor's consultation in hospitals, insurance operation of insurance companies, medical device companies, and the like.
• Referring toFIGS. 45 to 47, the overall structure and a plug cap structure of a dispenser connected to a management terminal according to an embodiment are illustrated.
• The present invention has been described above with reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, but the embodiments are merely illustrative, and one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains should understand that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are possible from the above-described embodiments. Therefore, the actual technical scope of the present invention should be defined based on the claims below.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
• According to the present invention, the amount of contents discharged from a containing apparatus can be accurately sensed, and the user can be allowed to take a fixed amount of contents on the basis of the accurately-sensed amount of contents discharged.

Claims (21)

1. A passing device comprising:

a passing operation part configured to guide movement of content;

a passing movement part rotatably disposed in the passing operation part and configured to move so that the content is passed; and

a sensing part disposed in the passing operation part and configured to sense content discharged due to free rotation of one end of the passing movement part,

wherein the sensing part detects information on the sensed content.

2. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein the passing movement part further includes a blocking member configured to obstruct passage of content beyond a predetermined amount.

3. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein the sensing part include at least one light emitting part configured to emit light toward content discharged due to rotation of the passing movement part, at least one light receiving part configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitting part, and a sensing control part configured to sense the content discharged through the passing operation part by using the light emitted from the light emitting part and then received by the light receiving part.

4. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein the sensing part includes at least one transmitting part and at least one receiving part, and a sensing control part which are configured to sense the content discharged due to the rotation of the passing movement part.

5. The passing device ofclaim 3, further comprising a storage part configured to store information on the content detected by the sensing part and a measuring part configured to calculate a cumulative discharge amount of the content by period on the basis of the information stored in the storage part.

6. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein a rotary motion of passing movement part is restrained or delayed by difference a position of center of gravity of the passing movement part and a position of center of rotation of the passing movement part when the passing operation part is tilted.

7. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein the sensing part includes at least one light emitting part configured to emit light toward content discharged due to rotation of the passing movement part, and at least one light receiving part configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitting part; and

when a light quantity detected by the light receiving part is smaller than predetermined quantity and such a state is maintained for a predetermined time, it is determined that the content is stuck in the passing device further.

8. The passing device ofclaim 5, further comprising a communication part configured to transmit the information on the content detected by the sensing part, the information stored in the storage part, or the information calculated by the measuring part to an external device through wired or wireless communication.

9. The passing device ofclaim 5, wherein the sensing control part determines, on the basis of the information stored in the storage part, whether the cumulative discharge amount of the content by period exceeds or is less than a predetermined amount by period.

10. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part when reception of light reflected by the content is stopped.

11. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing part further includes a tilt sensor configured to sense a slope of the passing device, and the sensing control part determines that the content has been discharged by the passing movement part according to whether a slope of a container sensed by the tilt sensor is within a predetermined slope range.

12. The passing device ofclaim 11, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content is discharged when an amount of change in the quantity of light is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount of change in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is within the predetermined slope range and determines that the content is not discharged when the amount of change in the quantity of light is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount of change in a state in which the slope of the housing sensed by the tilt sensor is outside the predetermined slope.

13. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the light emitting part and the light receiving part are respectively installed at both sides of the passing movement part.

14. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part according to a change in a quantity of light that is emitted by the light emitting part, reflected by the content, and then received by the light receiving part.

15. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content is passed by the passing operation part when an amount of change in the quantity of light received by the light receiving part is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount of change.

16. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content has been discharged by the passing operation part when an amount of change in the quantity of light received by the light receiving part is equal to and greater than a predetermined amount of change and then returns to a state before changing to the predetermined amount of change or larger.

17. The passing device ofclaim 1, wherein the passing operation part comprises a fixing member configured to form an opening to pass content and a movement guide part configured to guide introduction of the content into a content passing means, and

wherein the light emitting part is installed in a support part protruding from the movement guide part and a through hole is formed in the passing operation part so that light emitted from the light emitting part can be emitted to the passing movement part.

18. The passing device ofclaim 3, wherein the sensing control part determines that the content is discharged by the passing operation part when the quantity of light received by the light receiving part reaches a state of being a predetermined light quantity or larger and then reaches a state of being less than the predetermined light quantity.

19. A medication management device comprising a passing device, a medication management server and a medication guidance terminal,

wherein the medication management device comprises:

a medication guidance terminal control part configured to receive medication state information from a sensing part and medication schedule information from a medication management server, generate medication guidance information on a user by using the medication schedule information and the medication state information, and then output the generated medication guidance information to a output part, and

the output part for outputting information in response to the control signal of the medication guidance terminal control part.

20. A dispenser to be installed in a container and quantitatively discharging content contained inside the container by a predetermined amount at a predetermined medication time, the dispenser comprising:

a passing part, a sensor part, a blocking part, a medication control part and a dispenser output part,

wherein the passing part induces quantitative movement of the content, the sensor part detects content passing through the passing part by using light or radio wave,

wherein the medication control part generates a detection information based on whether the sensor part detects the content and manages user's medication based on the detection information generated,

wherein the medication control part controls the dispenser output part to output medication guidance information for guiding a user to take medicine at a set time by a predetermined amount, and

wherein the dispenser output part is LED or display device.

21-22. (canceled)

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